Joel Embiid will have to hope NBA coaches trust the process.
Embiid was not named a starter in the 2017 NBA All-Star game. LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jimmy Butler locked in the three Eastern Conference frontcourt spots. Kyrie Irving and DeMar DeRozan rounded out the backcourt.
James (25.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists) and Antetokounmpo (23.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists) were locks as starters. That left Butler, Kevin Love and Embiid as the next in contention. Butler is a two-time All-Star averaging 24.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 36.8 minutes for the 21-22 Bulls. Love is posting 20.7 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 31.6 minutes per game on the Eastern Conference-leading, 29-11 Cavaliers.
The voting was made up of fan votes (50 percent), player votes (25 percent) and media votes (25 percent). Embiid has a chance to be voted in by the NBA coaches, whose reserve selections will be announced on Jan. 26.
Embiid would have been named a starter had the results been based on fan voting (50 percent). He finished third ahead of Love and Butler.
Embiid was in the running for a starting role during a breakout rookie season. He is averaging 19.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 25.4 minutes per game. Even though his playing time is capped at 28 minutes, he ranks seventh among all players in scoring per 48 minutes. He is eighth overall in free throw attempts per game (7.9) and tenth in those made (6.2).
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Embiid had obstacles, though, when it came to the voting: rookie status, 28-minute restriction, limited games played because of his allocated workload (29), and the Sixers' record.
Even though the All-Star game highlights individual achievements, team record is often taken into consideration. The Sixers have won seven of their last nine games, but still stand well below .500 at 14-26.
When it came to the players' vote, it is hard for a rookie who hasn't even competed against every team in the league to make a strong enough impression for another player to influence their perception of the top talent. Embiid finished outside of the top-five in the player's vote, behind James, Antetokounmpo, Butler, Paul George and Kristaps Porzingis.
Embiid and the Sixers were very active in pushing for the fan votes. Embiid received the social media support of celebrities including Triple H, Kevin Hart and MLB MVP Mike Trout, among others. The Sixers promoted Embiid through a Shirley Temple campaign based on his favorite drink.
Embiid picked up major steam in the last week of voting. He had trailed Kevin Love by 16,028 fan votes in the second returns on Jan. 12.
I freaking LOVE YALL... We did it even tho it wasn't enough haha #TheProcess #NoDate 🙄 pic.twitter.com/8IZkDE8AiV— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) January 20, 2017
