Joel Embiid named Eastern Conference Player of the Week

After another monster week, including a 53-point outburst against the Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid has been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week. Embiid averaged 43.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists over three games in that time.

The Sixers went 2-1 in this stretch, with their lone loss coming in double overtime against the Houston Rockets. This is the second time Embiid has earned Player of the Week honors this season and the ninth time in his career.

Joel Embiid seems to be rounding into the MVP form he played with last season. In fact, he might be improving beyond the two-time runner-up that fans have seen over the past two seasons.

Embiid is averaging a career-high 33.4 points per game this season which would once again lead the league if he qualified (he’s one game short of qualifying). That number is also the highest a center has averaged in the NBA since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then referred to as Lew Alcindor) back in the 1970-71 season.

It’s not just the volume of Embiid’s scoring either that is at an all-time high; he is also averaging a career-high in field goal percentage (53.5%) and assists per game (4.8).

With five more games left in their seven-game home stand, the 76ers will need Joel to continue to lead this team defensively and offensively. If Embiid can be consistent every night, the Sixers will always have a good chance to win.