Joel Embiid would’ve been KIA Clutch Player of the Year in 2019-20
De’Aaron Fox won the first-ever Kia Clutch Player of the Year award earlier this week thanks to his ability to display icy veins for the Sacramento Kings. The folks at BetPennsylvania.com decided to run the numbers to see who would’ve won the award had it existed a few years ago. It should come as no surprise that one of those winners was Joel Embiid.
Joel Embiid would’ve been KIA Clutch Player of the Year
According to the research from BetPennsylvania, Embiid averaged 3.8 clutch points per game during the 2019-20 season and shot 53% in clutch scenarios. His win-loss record in his number was called in crunch-time was 16-10.
The Cameroonian played in 51 games that season, averaging 23 points per game along with 11.6 rebounds and 3 assists. He was also named to the NBA All-Second team as well as earning All-Star status.
While it’s cool to know that Embiid would’ve won an award had it existed back then, this also acts as a reminder as to just how much Embiid has grown as a player over the last few years. He’s now averaging 33 points per game, 10 boards, and 4 assists. His free throw percentage has risen from .807 to .857, oh, and he’s probably going to win the MVP Award that’s somehow evaded him all this time.
The Sixers are lucky to have Joel Embiid and it feels like this story has plenty of chapters remaining.
AP Foto/Matt Slocum
