Getty Images

Charles Barkley Believes Joel Embiid Has Overtaken Stephen Curry As MVP Front-Runner

After finishing second for MVP last season, Joel Embiid has picked up where he left off, stringing together a series of strong performances that make him worthy of a spot in the MVP ladder once again.

The 27-year old big man is averaging 27.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game on 48.2% shooting from the field over the course of the season. The fifth-seed Philadelphia 76ers hit a wall early, but they have gained steam as of late, putting up a 7-1 record over their past eight games.

As far as Embiid’s MVP candidacy goes, NBA Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Charles Barkley believes the two-way Sixers big man has already ascended to the summit of the MVP ladder and has overtaken Stephen Curry, whom everyone considered as the MVP front-runner early in the season.

“Joel Embiid is my favorite for MVP today. A month ago Stephen Curry was in the same position. But if you look at the NBA lately, nobody plays better basketball in the world than Joel Embiid.”