In a jaw-dropping display of basketball brilliance, Joel Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP, left fans and critics alike in awe as he erupted for a staggering 70 points in a showdown against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night. The virtuoso performance solidified Embiid’s status as the current crown jewel of the NBA, showcasing why he’s considered the most valuable player in the league.
However, amidst the celebration of Embiid’s historic feat, the spotlight shifted to the unfortunate soul tasked with the Herculean challenge of guarding the unstoppable force that is Joel Embiid. Victor Wembanyama, the 2023 No. 1 draft pick and San Antonio Spurs rookie, found himself on the receiving end of criticism, notably from legendary big man Shaquille O’Neal.
During the postgame coverage, Candace Parker highlighted Wembanyama’s commendable 33-point effort against Embiid, but Shaq swiftly dismissed it, declaring that it was “not good enough.” Jamal Crawford attempted to bring perspective, acknowledging the daunting task of facing a potential two-time MVP, to which Shaq bluntly responded, “I don’t care. You can’t let nobody hit 70 on you, no. It’s null and void, I don’t wanna hear that.”
The postgame debate surrounding Wembanyama’s defensive efforts against Embiid added an extra layer of drama to an already extraordinary night in NBA history. Shaq’s unyielding critique served as a testament to the uncompromising standards set by basketball legends, even in the face of an otherworldly performance by Embiid.
Joel Embiid’s scoring prowess has been a beacon of consistency this season, reaffirming his candidacy for another MVP title. Leading the league in points per game with an average of 36.1, Embiid is on track to secure his third consecutive NBA scoring title. The Philadelphia 76ers, propelled by Embiid’s phenomenal contributions, currently sit at the third spot in the Eastern Conference and are riding a six-game winning streak.
Despite past doubters questioning his MVP credentials, Embiid’s 2023 season has silenced the critics. This marks his third consecutive season averaging over 30 points per game, following 30.6 ppg in 2021-22 and 33.1 ppg in 2022-23. Notably, in the current season, Embiid has never scored below 20 points and has dipped below the 30-point mark only five times, showcasing his relentless offensive consistency. The scoring maestro has also reached the 40-point mark on six occasions, further solidifying his dominance on the court.
As the buzz around Embiid’s historic night reverberates throughout the basketball world, the MVP conversation gains momentum. With each stellar performance, the Sixers’ star reaffirms his place among the league’s elite, leaving fans and pundits alike eagerly anticipating what the rest of the season holds for this basketball virtuoso.
Afterward, Jamal Crawford pointed out that the young rookie was given the Herculean task of playing against a potential two-time MVP.
“I don’t care,” was Shaq’s response to Crawford’s point. “You can’t let nobody hit 70 on you, no. It’s null and void, I don’t wanna hear that.”
“Listen, he had a good game,” Shaq added referring to the Spurs rookie.”But I don’t wanna hear it, ‘Oh he had 33.’ No, you can’t let a man get 70 on you.”
— Mervin LR (@mervin_lr) January 24, 2024
