Joel Embiid’s Monster Game to Join Shaquille O’Neal in Elite Group Earns Ultimate Respect in Opponent Arena

He came, and he conquered. The performance by Joel Embiid tonight cannot be phrased any better. Handing the Charlotte Hornets their worst loss in 23 years, Embiid and co. had tipped the scales in their favor early on. Finishing with a double-double of 42 points and 15 rebounds, Philly’s big man also has another good news.

The third player in the last 50 years to post 30+ points and 10+ rebounds in 10 consecutive games, he joins Shaquille O’Neal and Moses Malone on the elite list. Unable to contain the respect he commanded, the Hornets crowd exploded in MVP chants!

Embiid had taken the Hornets out by himself in the first quarter. Inspired, Tyrese Maxey got hot, and the Sixers built a 29-point lead by halftime. There was no looking back from there, especially against a heavily shorthanded Hornets.

Not having key players in LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, Mark Williams, P.J. Washington, and Cody Martin was the first green signal. The proverbial white flag was waved when Terry Rozier sustained an elbow to the nose, leaving a depleted Charlotte at the mercy of the 76ers. The rest, as we say, is history.

So how did the most unlikely candidate for an NBA career turn his destiny around to become everybody’s favorite MVP?

Joel Embiid forged his path against all odds

Anybody who takes a quick look at Embiid’s NBA career would realize that what stands out is the number of seasons he missed and the injuries he sustained. It has been factors beyond his control that shaped his destiny.

Read More: Witnessing Joel Embiid Use His Move, Tyrese Maxey in Awe of 76ers Big Man’s “Scary” Improvement

But Joel Embiid is one of the rare names who has been through hell and back. Discovered by fellow Yaoundé native, Luc Mbah a Moute at a basketball camp, Embiid moved to the States at 16. What is noteworthy is that a young Joel had started playing basketball just a year prior.

Foregoing the final three years of college, he declared himself for the NBA draft in 2014. Unfortunately, a foot injury kept him from making his debut. In addition, on October 16, 2014, his brother, Arthur, died in a car crash in Cameroon, almost prompting him to drop everything and just leave.

Finally, the 2016-17 season saw him making his much-delayed NBA debut. From then, the Cameroonian big man didn’t look back. From a nobody to one of the most highly valued and respected (with a tinge of fear, for at least a few unfortunate souls with the task of guarding him), many teams and managements are beating themselves for forfeiting a talent like Joel “The Process” Embiid.

Landing his first-ever MVP award in 2023 was a testament to the process he underwent to reach the pinnacle of success he is at now. What are your bets on Embiid landing his second MVP this season?

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