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76ers' Embiid won't force himself to play to meet MVP requirement. If he misses out, 'so be it'
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Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, center, goes up for a shot between Houston Rockets' Jabari Smith Jr., left, and Alperen Sengun during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Philadelphia. - photo by AP Photo/Matt Slocum
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ime Udoka in his one year as a 76ers assistant got close enough to Joel Embiid to earn an invitation to the MVP's wedding to Anne de Paula last July. Udoka also saw up close in that one year that Embiid — already an All-Star and one of the best big men in the game — wasn't reaching his potential. Udoka saw a player that “stayed up playing video games, eating cereal” rather than being in tune with what was needed to play — to dominate, really, and carry a franchise — every night in peak physical condition.