Fansided

Joel Embiid won’t get his date with Rihanna

By David Rouben

Jan 13, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) stands for the anthem prior to the start of a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) stands for the anthem prior to the start of a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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While Philadelphia 76ers fans are mad that Joel Embiid got snubbed from the All-Star Game, the only thing on his mind is that he won’t get to date Rihanna.

It took three seasons for Joel Embiid’s NBA career to get started, but it was well worth the wait. There’s a very short list of players who are more exciting to watch than him, while he has made Philadelphia 76ers believe in playoff basketball again. It’s no wonder why he’s nicknamed himself The Process, because fans have been trusting him so far.

But despite all that he’s done this year, Embiid was ultimately left off the All-Star team. Him not starting the game makes sense, because how could he have possibly made it past that murderers’ row? But when the coaches selected their reserves, he didn’t make the final cut. That’s why he took out his frustration on the NBA on TNT crew, as well as President Trump.

From a basketball perspective, it doesn’t make much sense to leave him off since the Eastern Conference doesn’t have a discernible center. But the result of the All-Star Game has never mattered, which is why Embiid is upset for an entirely different reason.

At the start of the month, Embiid told TMZ he wanted to play in the All-Star Game so that he could date Rihanna. He told them that when he got drafted, he tried to shoot his shot with RiRi. She told him to come back “when you’re an All-Star”, so really, she’s been his main source of motivation from the start of his career.

Ever since he told TMZ that, the Sixers have been on a roll. They’re 9-3 in the month of January, and while Embiid is still being held out of back-to-backs, he’s made the most of his opportunities. He’s averaging 22.4 points and 9.3 rebounds, and is shooting 45.6 percent. He’s also racked up 21 blocks in eight games, which is an astonishing total. His team has also gone from 8-24, and seemingly out of the playoffs, to 4.5 games back of eighth place.

While Embiid ultimately fell short of Rihanna’s goal, she must admire the lengths he went to just to secure a date. After spending two seasons on the shelf, Embiid deserves some good fortune more than anyone.