The NBA released the first fan voting returns for the 2017 All-Star Game and former Kansas center Joel Embiid is on the cusp of breaking into the top three spots among Eastern Conference frontcourt players.
The Philadelphia rookie received 221,984 votes at the first checkpoint, garnering more fan support than established East stars such as New York’s Carmelo Anthony (189,817) and Indiana’s Paul George (138,332) among frontcourt candidates.
The league splits players into two groups — guards and frontcourt players — for voting purposes, and only three East players lead Embiid so far: Cleveland superstar LeBron James (595, 288), Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo (500,663) and the Cavaliers’ top big man, Kevin Love (250,347).
Through 23 games, Embiid is averaging 19.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks for Philadelphia (9-24), despite playing only 25.0 minutes a game up to this point. Still, the 22-year-old big man from Cameroon has become an instant fan favorite thanks to not only his mind-boggling skill set for a 7-foot-2 player, but also his amusing persona, often on display on social media platforms.
There is my chance to finally be with my CRUSH so i need your help y’all ha….. Joel Embiid #NBAVote https://t.co/lzxoKq2n10
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) December 29, 2016
WOWWW RT @realDonaldTrump Joel Embiid #NBAVote
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) January 5, 2017
NBA fans can submit one All-Star ballot each day during the voting period, [through NBA.com][1], the NBA App, Twitter, Facebook and Google Search. All current NBA players are available for selection.
For the first time in NBA All-Star Game history, this season players and media will have a say in the starters, too — not just the fans. All current players and a media panel each carry 25 percent of the weight in the voting process, while fan votes count for 50 percent. According to the NBA, player and media voting will begin next week, with each participant completing one full ballot featuring two guards and three frontcourt players from both conferences.
After all the votes come in, players will be ranked in each conference by position (guard and frontcourt) within each of the three voting groups – fans, players and media. Each player’s score will be calculated by averaging his weighted rank from each voting group.
The five players (two guards and three frontcourt players) with the best score in each conference will be named All-Star starters. Fan voting will serve as the tiebreaker for players in a position group with the same score.
#NBAVote Joel Embiid Posts Strong Early Returns in All-Star Voting » https://t.co/TDjgyDA4L6 pic.twitter.com/wWs8kxTmPa
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 5, 2017
The next fan voting update comes Jan. 12. Voting for fans, players and media concludes Monday, Jan. 16 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The East and West All-Star reserves, as selected by NBA head coaches, will be announced the following week, on Jan. 26.
The 2017 All-Star Game will be played in New Orleans, on Feb. 19.
NBA ALL-STAR FAN VOTING
—————
**EASTERN CONFERENCE**
**Frontcourt**
LeBron James (CLE) 595,288
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 500,663
Kevin Love (CLE) 250,347
Joel Embiid (PHI) 221,984
Carmelo Anthony (NY) 189,817
Jimmy Butler (CHI) 189,066
Kristaps Porzingis (NY) 184,166
Paul George (IND) 138,332
Hassan Whiteside (MIA) 72,628
Jabari Parker (MIL) 64,141
**Guards**
Kyrie Irving (CLE) 543,030
Dwyane Wade (CHI) 278,052
DeMar DeRozan (TOR) 253,340
Isaiah Thomas (BOS) 193,297
Derrick Rose (NY) 129,924
Kyle Lowry (TOR) 128,940
John Wall (WAS) 87,360
Jeremy Lin (BKN) 59,562
Kemba Walker (CHA) 52,122
Avery Bradley (BOS) 32,822
WESTERN CONFERENCE
————
**Frontcourt**
Kevin Durant (GS) 541,209
Zaza Pachulia (GS) 439,675
Kawhi Leonard (SA) 341,240
Anthony Davis (NO) 318,144
Draymond Green (GS) 236,315
DeMarcus Cousins (SAC) 202,317
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) 125,278
LaMarcus Aldridge (SA) 101,724
Blake Griffin (LAC) 100,524
Marc Gasol (MEM) 97,370
Guards
Stephen Curry (GS) 523,597
James Harden (HOU) 519,446
Russell Westbrook (OKC) 501,652
Klay Thompson (GS) 293,054
Chris Paul (LAC) 173,830
Damian Lillard (POR) 117,857
Eric Gordon (HOU) 76,609
Manu Ginobili (SA) 65,832
Andre Iguodala (GS) 64,247
Zach LaVine (MIN) 53,642
[1]: https://vote.nba.com/index.html
