It's fair to say Joel Embiid doesn't lack any self-confidence and he's expecting to do something special next season.The center has stated on multiple occasions that he'll be aiming to win the MVP award and he recently doubled down on this.In a recent appearance on the MindFrameGaming YouTube channel, Embiid spoke about his ambitious goal and why he feels he can achieve it this year."I feel like this summer is this my first healthy summer ever, so I have been putting the work in and working out every day, and I have already gotten so much better," Embiid said."I'm starting to see it and I'm excited. I feel like we could be seeing an MVP season."It's certainly not impossible for the big man to hoist the trophy but he'll have to enjoy great success both individually and collectively with the Philadelphia 76ers to be in the running.

Career year

Last year, the 24-year-old put up career numbers of 22.9 points and 11.0 rebounds per game in the regular season.

In his first ever playoff campaign, he averaged 21.4 points, 12.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in eight games.

With LeBron James leaving the Eastern Conference, there's a gap for somebody to take over as the best player.

Embiid is definitely one who is capable of doing so if he stays healthy for the entire campaign.

This is the first time in his NBA career that he's been healthy throughout the summer and he's using the time to improve his game.

When he's on the floor, the Sixers are a tough team to face and if he's able to get better and lead them to over 50 wins again and a top two seed in the east, he'll deserve to be in the MVP conversation.

But history is not on the Cameroonian's side as a true center hasn't won the honour since Shaquille O'Neal in the 1999-2000 season.

Tim Duncan won it in 2002-03 but he spent the majority of that campaign playing at power forward.

In a league that is now dominated by guards and wing players, traditional bigs are starting to be overlooked but Embiid is showing there's still a place for them.

But his ability to stretch the floor and shoot threes, as well as his dominant play in the post, means he's a valuable asset.

The MVP race should be wide open and there's no reason why 'The Process' can't add his name to the list of greats who have won it before.

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