Joel Embiid Lays Down Marker for DPOTY

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid had something to prove against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, and played like it.

Joel Embiid has stated that his goal since entering the NBA has been to win Defensive Player of the Year. One of his rivals for the acclaim, Rudy Gobert, played in the 131 – 123 win for Philly.

Joel Embiid has been carrying a chip with Gobert’s name on it on his shoulder ever since he was picked for last season’s All-NBA team over him.

As well as that, Utah press suggested Embiid was scared to face Gobert when he missed last month’s clash in Utah through injury. 

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Embiid responded emphatically with 40 points, 19 rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks.

“As we saw tonight, it looks like I was very, very scared of him,” Embiid said.

“So, yeah, keep talking.

“But going up against him, one of my goals is to also be Defensive Player of the Year. So, you know, when you go up against those types of guys, he’s a great player, and you know, he does a lot for his team that don’t show up on the stat sheet … but when you go against those guys, you know, it brings something else to my game.

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“I agree that Anthony Davis had a better season than me,” Embiid said in December. 

“Jokic? That’s debatable. But Rudy Gobert? No offense, but he [averaged] 15 [points] and 13 [rebounds] and I had my 23 and 12, and that’s kind of a big difference. I think my numbers were better. But people didn’t want to vote for me because our team didn’t do well.

“That’s OK, because I will use it to motivate me so there is no chance that anyone can make that mistake again.”