Embiid: 'Bullshit' for stars to claim they don't care about MVP award

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid believes every superstar cares about the MVP award.

The runner-up for the honor in each of the previous two seasons, Embiid says that public statements don't always match what players actually feel.

"This year, I've made a commitment to not put myself out there, talking about I'm the MVP, or saying I want to win. For the guys that keep saying, 'It's whatever, I don't care about winning it, doesn't matter.' But it's all bullshit. You want to be the MVP. That means a lot being the MVP of the league," Embiid told Marc J. Spears of Andscape.

"There are only certain guys that get the opportunity to have their name on it. It would be a great honor. But I'm at the point now where I'm used to (the MVP talk). If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, great."

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has topped Embiid for the award in each of the last two seasons. Embiid campaigned for himself in those years, but he said recently that he's focused on making a deep playoff run this time around rather than winning MVP. The 76ers have never been past the second round of the playoffs with Embiid.

A six-time All-Star, Embiid is now the odds-on favorite to win the award, which will be announced at some point during the postseason. Award ballots were due on Monday following the conclusion of the regular season.

Embiid led the league in scoring with a career-high 33.1 points per game on 54.8% shooting, along with 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists.