Rivers criticizes MVP measures: 'Analytic-driven society' is out of control

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers isn't sure what else Joel Embiid could've done to sway voters in this season's MVP race, but he's adamant that some advanced stats shouldn't decide the final outcome.

"I don't know if I could've done more than he did this year, play without the second-best player all year. Listen, his resume was great," Rivers told reporters Tuesday, according to The Athletic's Rich Hofmann. "I'm not taking anything away from (Nikola) Jokic either because he's a hell of a player.

"I do think this whole analytic-driven society, world is out of control at times with some of the measures that they use. Like, watch the dang game and decide is what I've always said."

Jokic led all players in multiple advanced statistics for the second straight season, including player efficiency rating (32.8), win shares (15.2), box plus/minus (13.7), and value over replacement player (9.8). The Denver Nuggets star also posted career highs in points (27.1 per game), field-goal percentage (58.3%), rebounds (13.8), and steals (1.5) to go along with a league-leading 19 triple-doubles.

The 27-year-old's strong performance powered the Nuggets to a 48-win campaign, despite the absence of co-stars Jamal Murray and Michael Porter.

Meanwhile, Embiid averaged a personal-best 30.6 points, 11.7 boards, 4.2 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals over 68 appearances this season. He became the first center since Shaquille O'Neal in 1999-2000 to capture the league's scoring title. The five-time All-Star also tied Giannis Antetokounmpo and Domantas Sabonis for the fourth-most doubles-doubles in the Association during the 2021-22 campaign.

"But at the end of the day, if Joel had won, which I thought he should have, there would have been criticism that way, if Giannis had won," Rivers said. "Only one guy could win, unfortunately."