Embiid prioritizing health over MVP award: Winning is 'the main thing'
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid is prioritizing his health over a potential second straight MVP award.
"I've already done it," Embiid told reporters Monday after the 76ers' 124-115 win over the Houston Rockets, per ESPN. "If I have a chance to get a second one, I'll do it. I'm not going to force myself or push for it. My game is always going to speak for itself. We're winning. That's the main thing.
"We've got to keep winning and you put in the stats to be in the (MVP) conversation, that's great, too. But at the end of the day, if there's something going on, and I can't meet the requirement for the amount of games played to qualify for that, then so be it."
Embiid is providing another compelling case to win the Michael Jordan Trophy. The two-time reigning scoring champ is averaging a league-leading 34.9 points, 11.7 boards, 5.9 assists, two blocks, and 1.1 steals over 28 appearances this season. He also boasts seven 40-point double-doubles.
The biggest threat to Embiid's MVP candidacy might be his durability. According to the new collective bargaining agreement, players are required to log at least 20 minutes in 65 games or more in order to be eligible for major accolades, including MVP and All-NBA teams.
Under the new mandate, Embiid can only miss eight more contests. The All-Star center has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. He was sidelined for seven of the team's nine contests prior to Monday's matinee affair against the Rockets.
Philadelphia is 3-7 this season with Embiid out of the lineup. The 76ers sit third in the East with a 25-13 record.