sport news Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid calls winning MVP 'validation' as All-NBA teams ... trends now
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Joel Embiid finally said it: Winning the NBA's Most Valuable Player award has been a dream ever since he belatedly started playing basketball.
'I know I've always said I don't care, but it was just for you guys to leave me alone,' the 76ers center said Wednesday, a day after he was voted to his first MVP after two runner-up finishes. 'I do care in the way that it validates everything, all the work that you've put in. And to be sitting here is just amazing.'
A native of Cameroon who didn't pick up the sport until he was 15, Embiid was the 76ers' reward for tanking their way to the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft.
But he missed two full seasons with foot injuries, leaving Philadelphia fans to wait while general manager Sam Hinkie insisted that they 'Trust the Process.'
His recent MVP win made him the first 76er to win the award since Hall of Famer Allen Iverson earned the trophy back in 2001.
MVP winner Joel Embiid called winning the award 'validation' but is focusesd on a NBA title
Embiid averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and tied a career high with 4.2 assists this year
He was expectedly named first-team All-NBA as well when the teams were officially named
Embiid, 29, averaged 33.1 points to win his second straight scoring title, averaged 10.2 rebounds and tied a career high with 4.2 assists per game.
He received 73 of the 100 first-place
