Embiid vs. Jokic Again? And 5 Standout Moments from Last Night - 11/07/23

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What Stood Out to Me Last Night (11/06/23)

1. Sacramento's offense has noticeably declined over a larger sample size without D'Aaron Fox. It's intriguing because a significant part of Sacramento's offense last season revolved around running plays through the high post with Sabonis as a hub. He had the ability to make the right pass or score in the paint, somewhat akin to how Jokic orchestrates the offense for the Nuggets. However, the Kings have struggled to generate offense against the much-improved Houston Rockets defense in their last two games.

2. Speaking of passing hubs in the paint, Sengun continues to excel. He had 12 assists last night in just 26 minutes, showcasing his vision in various ways. For fantasy owners, he's not only scoring efficiently but also grabbing nearly 9 boards and dishing out 7 assists while averaging 18+ points in around 32 minutes per game. If the Rockets can maintain their performance and hover around .500 (currently 3-3), Sengun could be in contention for an All-Star spot this year in the stacked Western Conference.

3. The Warriors have been closing out games exceptionally well this season, which is in stark contrast to Detroit's young team. The Pistons have been forcing passes, taking ill-advised shots, and struggling with turnovers. Cunningham continues to grapple with turnover issues, but it's challenging to argue that the Pistons have the right supporting cast to create the space he needs.

4. Embiid had an impressive outing, scoring 48 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in just 30 minutes while shooting 17-25 from the field. On the other hand, Jokic recorded a triple-double with 35 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists.

5. The Clippers' "big 4" struggled with turnovers and were benched with four minutes left, trailing by 16. While Harden played efficiently, it's clear that it will take some time for the team to mesh. I was particularly focused on Harden's off-ball movement and Westbrook's actions when neither had the ball. These aspects will be key to their success. Otherwise, relying on players who aren't as efficient as they used to be or are injury-prone seems like a recipe for trouble.

Who I’m Watching for Tonight (11/07/23)

No games today! Recently, the NBA has implemented a new tradition of not holding any games on U.S. Election Day to encourage fan participation in the civic process. This began in 2022, with the league taking off on November 8th to coincide with the midterm elections​​. The same approach was followed in 2023, with no games scheduled for November 7th to encourage fans to vote in the local elections​​.

Random NBA Thought

As we step into another NBA season, it's impossible to overlook the familiar names taking center stage in the early MVP conversations.

Embiid is once again leading the league in scoring, marking his third consecutive year achieving this feat. He's currently averaging nearly 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. The Sixers have the league's number one offense and the seventh-best defense, holding an impressive 5-1 record despite all the Harden drama. Under coach Nurse, Embiid's passing ability has thrived, with him averaging a career-high 6+ assists per game this season.

Meanwhile, Jokic has the Nuggets firing on all cylinders with a 7-1 record. He's posting a career-best 28 points per game along with 13 rebounds and 8 assists, all while averaging a ridiculous ~69.1% true shooting percentage. The impact of Jokic on the Nuggets is undeniable, evident in their on/off numbers. With him on the floor, they boast a staggering +16, turning into the runaway best team. However, when he takes a breather, they become a -4.5 team, one of the worst teams in the entire league.

In this early season, Jokic would undoubtedly hold the top spot, with Embiid not far behind at number two.

The potential of Jokic and Embiid claiming the top two spots in MVP voting for four consecutive years is nothing short of wild. To find a comparable level of consistency among MVP contenders, we have to go back to the era of LeBron James and Kevin Durant from 2010 to 2014.

In 2010, LeBron finished first in MVP voting, while Durant secured second place. In 2012, LeBron once again claimed the top spot, with Durant trailing at second. In 2013, LeBron continued his dominance, securing first place, while Durant held the second spot. In 2014, Durant took home the MVP award, with LeBron coming in second.

(Important to note that in 2011, LeBron finished second, with Derrick Rose winning the MVP that season.)

When we reflect on previous eras, even the legendary duos of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson only managed to finish as the top two in MVP voting in the same year once. What we're witnessing today, with Jokic and Embiid continually elevating their game and fiercely competing for the top honor, is nothing short of remarkable.

It may seem early to discuss MVP contenders, but even at this premature stage, the top five names consistently emerging are Jokic, Embiid, Luka, Tatum, and Curry. I'd venture to bet that these same names will remain at the forefront as the season unfolds.

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