Skip to content
Sixers
Link copied to clipboard

Embiid gracious about not making all-star first team

Joel Embiid can still be an all-star, but he will not start. He said he was not disappointed.

Among other things, Joel Embiid is one of the most competitive people on the 76ers. He didn't win a starting spot for the Eastern Conference all-star team when it was announced on Thursday evening, but his good-natured attitude won out over the competitor in him when the news came down.

"The fans, they gave everything they had and I came up short," Embiid said after the morning shootaround in preparation for Friday night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. "But I was just happy to see that the fans supported me and they are behind me and they wanted me to succeed.

"I've said this before: There is a lot of talented big men in the league, especially at the center position. That's something the NBA should think about, putting a center back in the all-star ballot. That's on them to make that decision. I'm not disappointed. I just got to go out there and keep on competing, winning games and helping my team win."

The all-star roster spots will be filled in with reserves on Thursday. Embiid, who is averaging 19.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 25.4 minutes of play, could be selected to the team at that time. The game will be played on Feb. 19 in New Orleans.