Joel Embiid, superstar center for the Philadelphia 76ers, expressed disappointment at not being selected as a starter for the NBA All-Star game.
The big man expressed his sentiments in the light of his 47-point, 18-rebound, 5-assist performance against the Denver Nuggets and reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic on Saturday, per Sixers Wire.
In the Eastern Conference, Joel Embiid finished fourth in the NBA All-Star game frontcourt voting behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and Jayson Tatum.
Many people believe that Embiid was unfairly left out of the starting lineup. Nonetheless, the news didn't come as a surprise to the Sixers big man, even if it did make him feel slighted.
Embiid told journalists: "Having been a starter the last five years, it is kind of disrespectful. I don't think anybody has had a better year than me."
Sixers President Daryl Morey Reacts
The Sixers superstar seemed to have learned to deal with such scenarios since he has finished second in the MVP voting twice and thinks he should have won the prestigious award at least once. He's hoping to utilize it and the NBA All-Star starter snub to motivate him and propel the Sixers this year, according to CBS Sports.
Philadelphia 76ers President Daryl Morey slammed the Boston media for the Joel Embiid All-Star starter snub.
"Joel Embiid completely hosed once again," Morey remarked on "The Anthony Gargano Show" on Friday.
He noted that the Boston media is overrepresented, but "most of them have recused themselves" since they don't want to vote on anything that may affect players' salaries.
"They haven't recused themselves, and they shoved Joel low enough so that he's not an All-Star starter. It's crazy," Morey said.
Final fan vote totals ⬇️ https://t.co/1aGcR38yuZ pic.twitter.com/Dv0osz0jlA
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 27, 2023
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LeBron, Giannis Named Captains of Respective All-Star Teams
The starting lineups for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game were revealed on Thursday night, and a few players who were hoping for reserve slots understandably feel slighted.
The starters were chosen using a weighted method in which fan votes counted for 50%, media votes for 25%, and player votes for the remaining 5%.
This is the Western Conference starting five: LeBron James (captain), Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Zion Williamson, and Nikola Jokic.
For the Eastern Conference, we have Giannis Antetokounmpo (captain), Donovan Mitchell, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and Kevin Durant.
In the NBA, LeBron James is rapidly approaching the all-time scoring record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Now he's tied with Abdul-Jabbar for another All-Star record.
LeBron James, star of the Los Angeles Lakers, was named an NBA All-Star for the 19th time on Thursday, matching Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most All-Star appearances in NBA history, per the NBA.
During the 2023 NBA All-Star Game on February 19 in Salt Lake City, Utah, James, who received the most votes overall, will head the Western Conference All-Stars, while Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks will lead the Easter Conference All-Stars.
The All-Star Game captain concept has been employed by the NBA for six years; James has served as captain each time and has a perfect 5-0 record. In addition to 2019 and 2020, Antetokounmpo now has the honor of serving as captain for a third time.
In a unique twist, James and Antetokounmpo will choose their teams soon just before the game in Salt Lake City, instead of a week or two before All-Star weekend.
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