Since being selected third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, Joel Embiid has been putting forward his athleticism to amaze the Philadelphia 76ers fans. His crowning achievement came in 2023 when he won the MVP award, silencing critics and proving that his legacy in the NBA is far from over.
Embiid’s remarkable performances have caught the attention of many, including former NBA star Gilbert Arenas. On his show, Gil’s Arena, Arenas even declared Embiid as the best player in the league, taking aim at the NBA’s new 65-game minimum rule for award consideration.
“He’s not going to be put into history fairly, and it makes me think about the past, things that happened in the game. We are looking at these stats as legit when some of the stats for these people weren’t legit because something happened to someone else. He’s gonna be one of those guys,” Arenas said.
“He’s probably the best player in the league; him and Jokic are fighting for who is number one, but I don’t think his legacy is gonna mirror that. When you’re talking about them two battling each other, Embiid has beat this man’s a**,” he added.
Fans Debate Gilbert Arenas’ Defense Of Joel Embiid Amid Injury Concerns
Gilbert Arenas boldly claimed that the NBA’s new 65-game minimum rule is the only thing preventing Joel Embiid from keeping pace with Nikola Jokic. Arenas made this statement in defense of Embiid, who has faced criticism due to his injuries over the years.
Last season, Embiid suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee, which caused him to miss several games and ended his momentum for another MVP run. However, many could not agree with Arenas, as they pointed out that the 65-game requirement applies to all players, not just the Cameroonian-American.
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For fans, the rule is seen as a fair standard across the league. If Embiid can’t stay healthy enough to meet the minimum, they believe it’s not the rule that’s to blame. Instead, they argue that fitness and availability are essential parts of competing for awards like MVP.
Last season, Embiid, who recently signed a major deal with the 76ers, played only 39 regular-season games. The 76ers star averaged 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in those games.
