This year?s MVP race has three players battling it out with full steam as the 2022-23 NBA season comes to a close. The two-time back-to-back MVP, Nikola Jokic is again in the mix to win the award for the third time in a row. Even Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo who has won the award twice in a row is going in strong. However, 76ers star Joel Embiid will be winning it for the first time in his career but an arbitrary stat of him surpassing LeBron James has fans trolling him on social media.
There is no doubt that Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been playing at an MVP level this season so far. The seven-foot All-Star has been averaging 33.3 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and 4.2 APG this season.
Joel Embiid surpassed The King
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The Philadelphia 76ers have the third-best record in the Eastern Conference with 52-27 and still three games left to play in the season. So, if Embiid?s numbers aren?t impressive enough, the impact he?s had on his team winning this season surely must be.
?The Process? has only improved his game and point production over the years. However, this year?s averages are the highest he has recorded in the seven-year career he has had so far in the league.
Although, a stat that states that Joel Embiid has surpassed LeBron James has been making the rounds on social media. According to the stat, ?Joel Embiid just passed LeBron James for 5th all-time in career scoring average. He?s averaging 27.2 PPG in his CAREER, just under MJ, Wilt, KD, and Elgin Baylor.?
While the stat is nothing short of impressive, fans are furious as to how his career average is being taken into consideration. That is because Joel Embiid is far from retiring as he still has many more years ahead of him.
Embiid closing in on Michael Jordan and other icons of the game
Many NBA fans seem unimpressed with Joel Embiid?s stats. While he may be close to the likes of Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain, fans are still pointing out factors that undermine his achievement.
Watch This Story – LeBron James’ best crossovers against Joel Embiid, Tim Duncan, and others
One fan tweeted, ?This is a silly stat to cite as career scoring average is strongly affected by how a player ends his career.?
This is a silly stat to cite as career scoring average is strongly affected by how a player ends his career.
— Robert T. Ives (@Justalurke) April 6, 2023
While another fan commented, ?Now show seasons played.?
Now show seasons played
— Hookah 🤠 (@HookahDoncic_77) April 6, 2023
Here are a few more reactions from fans on Twitter.
This is cool but also kinda not that impressive only cuz lebron is nearing the end of his career whereas Embiid still has a ways to go so there's really no telling how much of a drop off he'll have at the end of his time in the NBA but like I said still dope
— Stan From Drexel Hill🇭🇹 (@HaitianPride29) April 6, 2023
If only he can last 20 seasons and 65000 minutes
— sports talk (@rsandns) April 6, 2023
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LeBron played 15 more seasons btw
— Cedi Osman Enthusiast (@ethanharold06) April 6, 2023
If injured years counted as 0 ppg he would be cooked
— WILL LEVIS SZN (@DuckzSzn) April 6, 2023
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Fans were quick to point out how career averages are cited when the player is close to retiring. Let?s see if Embiid?s career averages go up or down as the years pass by. What are your thoughts on Embiid going past LeBron? Let us know in the comments.