By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The NBA All-Star Game hasn't been much of a popular subject over the last number of years in Philadelphia, but this season has a different feel. Sixers rookie center Joel Embiid is hoping to make the Eastern Conference All-Star team not only to play with the best in the NBA, but also to land a date with his celebrity crush, which some believe to be Rihanna.
It seems like the Philly faithful and fans across the nation have supported Embiid in his journey to New Orleans in February as the NBA released the first voting update this afternoon. The 22-year-old center is ranked fourth among Eastern Conference front court players and has the seventh most votes among Eastern Conference players overall. He leads all centers from the east in voting as well.
If you only skimmed the list, Embiid has more total votes than Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose, John Wall, Kristaps Porzingis, DeMarcus Cousins, Karl-Anthony Towns, LaMarcus Aldrdige, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Damian Lillard.
Embiid has been turning heads across the league this season, averaging 19.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in just 25 minutes per game. He began the season on a minutes restriction and in early December, it was increased to 28, where it may stand for the coming months.
While his play definitely deserves recognition, Embiid has tweeted about dating pop-star Rihanna on numerous occasions. His crush is no surprise to Philadelphia fans and if he becomes an All-Star, he'll hopefully secure a date with her. Although Embiid hasn't specifically mentioned Rihanna in the last month or two, he has shown interest in her in the past.
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
This is the truth… I was trying to get with this famous girl and she said " Come back when you're a All Star" bruhh pic.twitter.com/CFBnRqnKMA
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) August 17, 2014
Following the Sixers win in Denver, Embiid commented on what it would mean to be named Rookie of the Year and while he said it'd be nice, he isn't quite sure it would help him with his dating life.
“Rookie of the Year would be great but I don’t think it’s going to help me get to my crush. Hopefully the All-Star [vote] will help me do that. I’m just trying to help the team win games. If I’m playing well and the team is winning games, that’s what I want.”
In a development of Embiid's run to the All-Star Game, Brett Brown says that getting Embiid the coveted date is just another reason to help him get there.
Brown says if improving Embiid's dating life is a side effect of making All-Star game, it's not Brown's motivation, but he's fine with it.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) January 5, 2017
