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I watched Shaquille O’Neal declare that Joel Embiid has his MVP vote on Tuesday night, calling him “the baddest guy in the league right now.”
Which made me wonder: Is Embiid really an MVP candidate?
After all, the Sixers are 28-19, sixth in the East heading into Thursday’s game against LeBron James and the Lakers. They’re just two games out of first, and there are moments when you think they can contend.
Embiid is averaging a career-high 29.0 ppg and 4.3 apg, while still doing his usual damage on both ends of the court and beyond the arc. So, yeah. MVP candidate for sure!
But the cloud above them all season has been about Ben Simmons, who continues to sit out the year as the front office figures out a deal.
Yet Simmons is still a member of the Sixers. Reports are swirling about whether the franchise will hold out on trading him (for James Harden, maybe??) until the next offseason.
The 76ers can’t wait. The trade deadline is approaching, and it feels like if Philly wants a superstar in exchange, they may not get one. So, get the Sixers some help now! Don’t waste an possible Embiid MVP season! Yes, Embiid is just 27 years old and has plenty of great basketball ahead of him, but when you have your best player playing at his best and — for now — is healthy? You’ve got to go for it.
Make the deal, Daryl Morey. Get more shooting. Go for it. Now.
Quick hits: Girl Scout cookie flavors, ranked …
— I ranked every Girl Scout cookie flavor, and as you’d expect, people don’t agree with me!
— Is the Washington Football Team about to be the … Commanders?
— Our latest Olympic profile: Get to know figure skater Alysa Liu.
