Joel Embiid Addresses Earning Potential Sixth All-Star Nod

Last week, the NBA announced the ten starters for the 2023 NBA All-Star game. On Thursday night, the rest of the player pool will be revealed as the league intends to announce the reserves.

For the Philadelphia 76ers, they don’t have a representative in the starters’ pool for the first time in five years. Although Sixers center Joel Embiid is having yet, another monster season, he was edged out in the final frontcourt voting this time around.

The Eastern Conference’s frontcourt starters consist of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum. Embiid, who finished third in the player and media votes, ranked fourth overall behind Tatum, as he finished fourth in the fan voting.

One would assume Embiid should be a lock to become an All-Star reserve on Thursday night, but the big man made it clear that he cannot be so sure after Wednesday’s game against the Orlando Magic.

“I don’t know if I’m gonna be an All-Star,” said a smirking Embiid. “I don’t know. You never know. Like I said the other day, I’m used to the disrespect, so I would not be surprised if I don’t make it. So we shall see.”

When addressing his starters snub last Saturday, Embiid pointed to the fact that his trolling and other occasional antics might’ve given him a bad reputation among voters, which caused him to slip out of favor as he continues to have another MVP-caliber season.

The chances of Embiid cracking the All-Star game are high. The big man mentioned that if he somehow doesn’t make it, he’ll be able to brush it off. But if Embiid does earn his sixth nod, he’ll appreciate it once again.

If I don’t make it, it’s whatever,” Embiid continued. “If I do, it’s a blessing every single year. Starters or not, I’m competitive, so, obviously, you want to be the best, and I feel like I put myself in a position to be up there and be the best. It’s disappointing, but that’s not what matters. Like I keep saying, when we’re right, I feel like we have an opportunity to accomplish something big. So that’s where the focus is.”

The NBA will announce the final player pool at 7:00 PM ET.