Joel Embiid, NBA Twitter react to Sixers star James Harden’s All-Star snub
The Philadelphia 76ers will have representation for the 2023 All-Star game in Salt Lake City on Feb. 19 as Joel Embiid will be sent to his sixth straight All-Star game as a reserve. He probably should have been selected as a starter, but as long as he gets in, that’s all that truly matters.
However, James Harden was left off the 2023 All-Star game roster. The Beard, despite averaging 21.4 points, 11.0 assists, and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 39.4% from dep, was left off the roster. It ended a streak of 10 straight years of being named an All-Star in Harden’s career. The last time he missed the mid-season showcase was in 2012 as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The complete list of All-Star reserves were: Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Bam Adebayo, Julius Randle, DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday, and Tyrese Haliburton. DeRozan and Holiday are the two who are getting some heat for being selected over Harden.
Embiid and the rest of NBA Twitter were set ablaze after Harden’s snub as they reacted in shock:
Y'all got some explaining to do @NBA
— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) February 3, 2023
JAMES HARDEN @JHarden13 wow https://t.co/39CRM2PaBV
— Georges Niang (@GeorgesNiang20) February 3, 2023
@JHarden13 ‼️‼️ https://t.co/aWGWJlBG5L
— Tobias Harris (@tobias31) February 3, 2023
Trae Young is leading the league in total assists.
James Harden is leading the league in assists per game.
Neither are All-Stars. pic.twitter.com/BjZHhv4Esg
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 3, 2023
I probably wouldn’t have left Joel Embiid out of my starters, but I think the outrage about it was probably a bit much.
To me, James Harden not being a reserve is far more ludicrous.
21.4 / 11.0 / 6.4 per game on 61.9 TS% is not just All-Star level, but also All-NBA level IMO. https://t.co/ZixtAAszEg
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) February 3, 2023
James Harden didn’t even make it as an All-Star RESERVE??? pic.twitter.com/dnw3Snffot
— Stew🏀 (@StewyHoops) February 3, 2023
Joel Embiid has been named an All Star reserve. James Harden was not (a choice I disagree with)
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) February 3, 2023
we should flip how we view all-star snubs and start talking about who’s gifted a week off and a tropical vacation instead.
congrats, james harden and jimmy butler!
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) February 3, 2023
DeRozan over James Harden is ridiculous
The hate has gone too far … it’s outta hand
Damn shame
— Harrison Sanford (@HarrisonSanford) February 3, 2023
Whoa. Jrue Holiday and DeMar DeRozan making it means that James Harden likely did not.
(I have to imagine Tyrese Haliburton is the last guard selected?)
— Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) February 3, 2023
In terms of basic box score stats, the only areas that DeMar DeRozan was better than James Harden were games played, 2p %, and turnovers per game.
For Jrue Holiday, it was games played, FG%, and 2p%.
— Austin Krell (@NBAKrell) February 3, 2023
James Harden leads the league in assists per game (11.0 apg) while scoring 21.4 points per game for a top-four team and somehow did not make the All-Star game.
— Zach Ciavolella (Cha-vo-lel-la) (@zciavo) February 3, 2023
Someone please explain to me how Jrue Holiday made the ASG and James Harden didn’t pic.twitter.com/dxfky2lZhQ
— J🐐 (@SixersJustin) February 3, 2023
James Harden & Tyrese Haliburton are nearly identical statistically — the separation is 6 games.
That’s not enough to justify awarding the spot to a star of the 10 seed over a star on the 3 seed. Harden is a legend of the game.
Celtics, Bucks, Nets each have 2, so should PHI.
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) February 3, 2023
All Star Game without James Harden ??? this is not my NBA
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) February 3, 2023
True or False:
Jalen Brunson and James Harden should have been All-Stars pic.twitter.com/EjbQYKoTMW
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 3, 2023
East All-Star rosters cool, but James Harden belongs. Too much of a legacy and still producing at a winning level. pic.twitter.com/6rgH4pq94R
— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) February 3, 2023
James Harden this season:
– 21.4 PPG
– 6.4 RPG
– 11.0 APG (Leads League)
– 1.2 SPG
– 45.0 FG%
– 39.4 3PT% (Career High) / 7.4 ATTS
– 86.4 FT%
– 61.9 TS%Not an All-Star, lol okay. pic.twitter.com/2TrbBSXBAe
— 👁️ (@isoheavy) February 3, 2023
James Harden is averaging 21 & 11 as the second option of a top-4 team in the NBA and did not make the All-Star game.
I stand by the statement that James Harden is the most under appreciated superstar of all time. I just pray that he finally gets his flowers when he retires.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) February 3, 2023
Trae Young and James Harden pic.twitter.com/bm2CxZY8Bi
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) February 3, 2023
James Harden not an all star… LMFAOO this league is cooked
— c H e f 👨🍳 (@ChefBetter) February 3, 2023
James Harden and Joel Embiid are the two most disrespected players in NBA history….
— Aidan LaPorta (@aidanlaporta69) February 3, 2023
James Harden got robbed. He really didn’t make the All-Star game averaging these numbers… pic.twitter.com/ka9WYwdtmL
— َ (@FeelLikeDrew) February 3, 2023
James Harden during the All Star break now that he doesn't have to go to Utah because the coaches are ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/s98yaVZSpq
— Whatever Culture (@JakeOnSixers) February 3, 2023
James Harden deserved to be an All-Star. pic.twitter.com/6P8hFvNBmc
— Guru (@DrGuru_) February 3, 2023
I love Jrue Holiday. He’s one of the most underrated and under-appreciated point guards in years. He’s excellent on both sides of the ball. But there’s absolutely no way he should have made the All Star team over @JHarden13.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) February 3, 2023
Tyrese, Jrue and Demar in 2023 over James Harden 💔💔 pic.twitter.com/zMq8tf4Jqr
— 🎭 (@JalenPrime) February 3, 2023
Is this a serious question? One of these guys is averaging 21, 11, and 6 on 61.9% true shooting. Snubbed isn’t the word for James Harden. More like disrespected. This is a slap in the face for a player of his stature. https://t.co/HRVcsmRdfo pic.twitter.com/VxWI2m79Jc
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@Vator_H_Town) February 3, 2023