Furkan Korkmaz explains why he was so excited for Joel Embiid to win MVP
BOSTON–When Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was named MVP of the league, all of his teammates expressed their excitement for him. James Harden gifted him with a Rolex watch while others took to social media to express their congratulations.
However, there is one teammate who has been with him through it all: Furkan Korkmaz.
Korkmaz joined the Sixers in the 2017-18 season and he has had his fair share of ups and downs since joining Philadelphia, but he had Embiid have had a close relationship. The big fella also shouted him out in his MVP speech on Wednesday.
“It’s been a long time, man,” said Korkmaz. “That’s the type of relationship we have so we are like the last two survivors, it’s been a long time, but I’m glad that he won it because he deserved it. He really deserved it so it’s been going on for a long time for this MVP thing and everything, but finally, he got it. I was so hyped for him. I felt really grateful to play with him. I think that was a historical moment for all of us.”
Embiid has never been one to be a rah-rah type of player when it comes to his leadership. He just wants to show off what it is to be a leader while out on the floor and playing through pain to be there for his team. That is what he is doing in the playoffs at the moment as he is playing through an LCL sprain in his right knee.
Considering how well Korkmaz knows Embiid and sees what he is dealing with, he feels the pain he is playing with to be there in this Round 2 against the Boston Celtics.
“I think what makes Joel special is he’s been playing through a lot,” Korkmaz added. “Even today (Game 2), you can see that he’s in pain, but he’s just trying to play. I don’t know how many blocks he got, but he’s been playing with his heart. That’s why I was more hyped because I can feel his pain. He’s been going through a lot physically.”
Finally! M V P 🏆 https://t.co/sEQp7qjYtV
— Furkan Korkmaz (@FurkanKorkmaz) May 2, 2023
