Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the third time this season. With an impressive performance, averaging 37.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in four games, Embiid solidified his case for MVP. However, despite the hype from the 76ers' social media team, it is unlikely that he will repeat as MVP.

One of the factors working against Embiid is the NBA's new requirement that players must play a minimum of 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards. Embiid has already missed 10 games, and with the 76ers' cautious approach in managing his workload, he is likely to miss more games moving forward. He tends to sit out road games, especially against strong opponents, in order to preserve his body for the playoffs. This strategy may be wise, considering his history of wearing down before the postseason.

Embiid's stats this season are impressive, leading the league in scoring with 35 points per game, along with 11.4 rebounds and a career-high 5.9 assists. However, the combination of missed games and the 65-game requirement may hinder his chances of winning MVP this year.

While Embiid's MVP campaign may fall short due to games played, it allows him to preserve his body, choose which opponents to face, and put up extraordinary numbers. This outcome may appease Sixers fans who have become accustomed to heated debates about MVP races. Regardless of the final result, Embiid's focus lies in delivering a strong performance during the playoffs.