Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The NBA All-Star Reserves were announced on Thursday night and Philadelphia 76ers rookie Joel Embiid didn't make the team. Despite finishing third in fan voting, Embiid didn't get enough support from players, media and coaches and will miss out on the All-Star Game in his first season in the league.
Once again the popular vote didn't matter……
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) January 27, 2017
Embiid, 22, debuted for the Sixers this season, 853 days after he was drafted and he's received league-wide recognition as a rookie, earning Eastern Conference Player of the Month for December. The 7-foot-2 native of Cameroon is putting up phenomenal numbers with a minutes restriction, averaging 19.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, while shooting 46.2 percent from the floor. There are likely a handful of factors as to why Embiid didn't make the All-Star Game, but he was snubbed in favor of Paul Millsap.
Don't get me wrong, Millsap is a good player, but his stats are inferior to Embiid this season and the graphic at the top of the story shows it. Embiid produces more in less minutes and has been a gigantic part of the Sixers' resurgence. That being said, it's difficult for a rookie to get enough respect around the league to make an All-Star Game, so Embiid will have plenty more opportunities in the coming years. Embiid squared off against Millsap in his second NBA game.
Just throwing this out there…@JoelEmbiid, in his second NBA game, against Paul Millsap: pic.twitter.com/bgajsE3uDi
— Matt Mullin (@matt_mullin) January 27, 2017
The All-Star Reserves were announced on TNT and following the uneviling of the Eastern side, the analysts debated whether or not Embiid should have made the team. Charles Barkley critisized the NBA for not having Embiid on the team, saying he and the city of Philadelphia deserve it.
"I thought that the NBA should have rewarded Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers," said Barkley. "I thought it would have been just great for what they are doing for the city of Philadelphia. He’s great for the league, and if he and Ben Simmons can stay healthy, they’ll be monsters for the next 10-15 years."
Meanwhile Shaquielle O'Neal had a head-scratching thought about Embiid, posing the question as to whether the rookie has the stats advantage because he doesn't play in every game and is on a minutes restriction. Seriously? The guy sat out for two years and is putting up numbers of an All-Star. Joel Embiid heard the comments and responded on Twitter.
Well I guess the date is not gonna happen ha…. And that dude on tv clearly hates me for no reason lmao #BigGoof #TrustTheProcess
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) January 27, 2017
The Sixers host the Rockets tonight on ESPN and if Embiid is recovered, he'll get the chance to show what he's got in front of a national audience. Although he won't be playing in the All-Star Game, Embiid and teammates' Jahlil Okafor and Dario Saric were selected to play in this year's Rising Stars Challenge on February 17 in New Orleans.
Pacers forward Paul George, Cavs forward Kevin Love, Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, Hawks forward Paul Millsap, Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, Hornets guard Kemba Walker and Wizards guard John Wall were voted as reserved by the coaches in the Eastern Conference.
