“NBA Got Some Explaining to Do”: All-Star Lineup Leaves Sixers stars Joel Embiid and James Harden Fuming

Adit Pujari | 03/02/2023
"NBA Got Some Explaining to Do": All-Star Lineup Leaves Sixers stars Joel Embiid and James Harden Fuming

The All-Star Reserves list is finally out and while it’s an exciting time for many, there are few active players who are furious with the list. Actually, there are two precisely. Both Philadelphia 76ers stars. Joel Embiid and James Harden have taken to social media following the release of the final list of reserves. They believe it is unfair and needs to be scrutinized. Embiid, in fact, specifically called out the NBA for it.

Joel Embiid has been exceptional this season. He is playing at the highest level and is without a doubt among the elite. Yet, Joel Embiid will not be a starter in the upcoming game. And Embiid is furious about it.

Furthermore, James Harden has been nothing short of outstanding this season. He deserved to be on the All-Star reserves list. Therefore, it does make sense for Embiid to openly challenge NBA. After all, he isn’t the only one getting snubbed from Philadelphia. In retaliation, the 7ft center took to his Twitter to pose a question directly at the league.

Also read: “Missing 5 Weeks Hurts, But My Wife is Happy”: Anthony Davis Isn’t Bothered Much About All-Star Snub, Goes Candid After Winning Clutch Game for Lakers

Joel Embiid and James Harden disappointed with All-Star lineup

Embiid’s tweet is essentially an open call by the star for a better selection process. Harden is averaging a 20+ point double-double this season after all.

The former Nets guard has evolved quite aptly to the Sixers. By sharing the scoring load with Embiid and taking over the playmaking, Harden has made the Sixers a much more capable team than last season.

He is recording 11 assists and 6 rebounds per game. There are only a handful of players on the reserve list who are putting Harden-type numbers and managing to win as many games.

Meanwhile, Harden took to his Instagram and posted a video claiming it was disrespectful to snub him. The angst will likely fade in time. It may even make The Beard more ferocious. A sight we haven’t seen in a while.

 

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Fans too are unhappy with the All-Stars lineup

Like Embiid and Harden, fans too are unhappy with the snub. They showed their dissatisfaction with the selections on Twitter.

The games after All-Star weekend should be interesting. Maybe this is the motivation Harden needs to bring back his prime days and became the lethal shooter he always was.

Also read: Giannis Antetokounmpo Sets Impressive Statline Which The Bucks Star Didn’t Achieve Even In MVP Seasons

Post Edited By: Adit Pujari
James Harden Joel Embiid

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Adit Pujari

Adit Pujari is an NBA Journalist and Strategist at The SportsRush. He formerly worked as a debate and writing trainer. An avid fan of Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, Adit began following the league in 2007. With the Lakers and Boston Celtics rivalry ripe, he found himself hooked to the sport immediately. After 15 years of religiously following the league, he decided to use his knowledge base as a sports writer in 2021. Since then, he has worked as an NBA writer, led a team of MLB writers, and has now joined The SportsRush. In his spare time, Adit loves playing pickup games and exploring hidden Himalayan trails.

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