The All-Star Game is coming up and the place of the Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid has been filled with the talented center of the Miami Heat, Bam Adebayo. With this selection, he has been named to the NBA All-Star Game for the third time.
According to the Associated Press, Adebayo was included in the starting lineup of the Eastern Conference as the reigning MVP, Embiid was unable to participate due to his knee injury. The talent of the Heat club was selected by Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, who, as per the report, is leading the East Team.
Regarding his selection, Adebayo shared, “He walked in and was like, ‘Bam, you’re starting. It’s going to be a dope experience. Just going to really cherish that moment and thankful to God and all the people who support me through all the ups and downs. We’ve added something new to our list.”
Bam Adebayo confirms he has been named as the injury replacement All-Star starter for Joel Embiid. First time a Heat player has started an All-Star Game since Dwyane Wade in 2016. pic.twitter.com/FCl3pK4Ud2
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) February 17, 2024
According to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, “Bam Adebayo confirms he has been named as the injury replacement All-Star starter for Joel Embiid. First time a Heat player has started an All-Star Game since Dwyane Wade in 2016.”
The four-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team, Adebayo has become the seventh player to be selected in the All-Star game as the starter. In 2016, it was Dwayne Wade from the Miami Heat who received such an honor. Other Heat members who have been All-Star Starters are icons Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Alonzo Mourning, Chris Bosh, and Anthony Mason.
Rivers also shared, “My lineup decision was easy. I looked at Big Joel out, what other (center) do we have on the team, and Bam got the honor. It’s good for him, too. It’s funny, I told him in locker room. He didn’t know. I thought he knew because I told the league yesterday that he did know. You could tell he was very happy about it.”
