The real MVP | Sports Daily Newsletter

After the NBA title was all wrapped up for the Denver Nuggets, it seemed like Nikola Jokić would rather go home than celebrate. Still, there’s no denying his focus and sacrifice to get the job done in the first place.

For David Murphy, that was a telling aspect of the center’s success, and one that Joel Embiid could look to emulate as he aims to take the next step to become an NBA champion himself.

Sure, Embiid has got the regular-season MVP trophy now, but that individual recognition isn’t the ultimate one that a championship confers on a player’s legend. What Philly fans know for sure is how much Embiid cares, and if he’s already emotional about winning MVP, getting the Larry O’Brien trophy one day should result in the ultimate show of joyous feeling.

— Andrea Canales, Inquirer Sports Staff, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

❓ Whose winning reaction do you relate to more, Jokić's stoicism or Embiid’s vulnerability? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

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The Eagles love DeVonta Smith, and his teammates listed the reasons why after showing up on a Saturday in Allentown to support his celebrity softball game. Beat writer Josh Tolentino takes you inside the Coca-Cola Stadium tunnel, where there was tremendous energy surrounding Smith and spoke with those who’ve watched the talented receiver’s rise.

The hits didn’t stop coming for the Phillies on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, and they rode their bats to victory.

Which is good, because the team’s pitching rotation is still in turmoil.

However, there’s no denying the importance of the return of the team’s vibes leader, even if he can’t yet play.

The name might sound familiar. Bobby Jackson served as an NBA point guard and bench spark plug for 12 seasons before becoming a coach, spending time with the Sacramento Kings franchise as an assistant and head coach of the G League’s Stockton Kings. He recently parlayed that experience into a position with the 76ers as the first hire on Nick Nurse’s staff. The Inquirer’s Gina Mizell provides more info on the man who could serve as a role similar to that of former assistant Sam Cassell in Philly.

Another day, another front-office change for the Flyers.

On Tuesday, that came in the hiring of 15-year NHL veteran Patrick Sharp as a special adviser to hockey operations. The three-time Stanley Cup winner, who played 2½ seasons for the Flyers (2002-05), is the latest former Flyer to join the team’s brass this summer.

Sharp will have a significant role with the young players, and that will include future draft picks. In the final installment of our six-part draft series with FloHockey’s Chris Peters, we shift to defense with a breakdown of Austrian blueliner David Reinbacher.

Medford’s Brenden Aaronson has been gone from the Union’s ranks for three years now, with stops in Austria with Salzburg and now in England with Leeds. He could soon add a third destination to the list after Leeds was relegated from the Premier League.

Speaking at the United States men’s national team camp ahead of Thursday’s Nations League semifinal against Mexico, Aaronson chose not to address his uncertain future.

“Yeah, I’m sorry, but I’m with the national team, so I just want to focus on the national team,” he said. “That’s where all my thoughts are right now, and that’s the only thing I’m focused on at this moment. So, yeah, I’m just focused on the next game against Mexico — winning this one, and then going to the next one.”

Kyle Schwarber led the National League in home runs last season with 46. Who was the last Phillie before him to lead the NL in homers?

Answer: B: Ryan Howard hit 48 homers in 2008. Pete S. was first with the correct response.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from David Murphy, Gina Mizell, Alex Coffey, Jonathan Tannenwald, Josh Tolentino, Olivia Reiner, and Isabella DiAmore.