Joel Embiid’s strength is not a hidden virtue; he has developed remarkable physical power, which he effectively combines with his exceptional basketball skills. He has maintained an All-Star status since the 2017-18 season, showcasing his ability to leverage his strength.
Embiid is currently a dominant force in the NBA. Fanatics CEO, Michael Rubin, shared an intriguing story about his encounter with the current MVP that will pique the interest of fans and enthusiasts alike as they enter the new season.
Michael Rubin’s hilarious account of underestimating Joel Embiid
Michael Rubin tells a lighthearted yet insightful story about his run-in with Joel Embiid’s imposing strength. During an engaging chat on The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone, Rubin recounted a humorous yet slightly unsettling incident involving Joel Embiid. It seemed that Rubin had gained a valuable lesson about not underestimating the towering NBA star.
Rubin said, “When I drink I think I become superhuman. There’s only one person I’ve actually learned not to do that with, Joel is the only person I’m actually terrified. There’s a true story. We were in New York together. There was a big group of us together and he like kind of pushed me jokingly so I knocked him over.”
He continued sharing his experience, “He picked me up in a pretzel and squeezed me, blood started coming out of my face, it was actually bad… I learned my lesson with him, doesn’t matter how much I drink I’m not ever getting a fight with him.”
Rubin admitted that alcohol occasionally makes him feel like a superhuman, with one exception – Joel Embiid. In a New York gathering, Embiid playfully pushed Rubin, who retaliated by knocking Embiid down. Yet, what followed was a stark lesson in facing Embiid. Joel Embiid effortlessly lifted Rubin, contorting him until his face bled. It left Rubin with a vivid realization, regardless of how much he drinks, he’ll never confront Joel Embiid.
How many times did Joel Embiid win NBA MVP?
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid secured the 2022-23 NBA Most Valuable Player award on Tuesday, marking his first MVP win. He averaged a career-best 33.1 points per game, along with 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.7 blocks. After being the runner-up for the past two years, Embiid triumphed over Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, who had collectively claimed the last four MVP titles.
Hailing from Cameroon, Embiid received 73 out of 100 first-place votes from a panel of broadcasters and journalists, totaling 915 points. Jokic came in second with 15 first-place votes and 674 points, while Antetokounmpo garnered the remaining 12 first-place votes and 606 points.
Joel Embiid is only the second African player to secure this prestigious award, following Hakeem Olajuwon (1993-94). He’s also the first 76ers player to claim the MVP title since Allen Iverson in 2000-01. However, entering into the 2023/24 season, Embiid would be looking to defend his MVP title, though it might or might not be with the 76ers.
