Kansas basketball: Big All Star weekend for Joel Embiid
By Stan Unruh
Former Kansas basketball standout Joel Embiid impressed in his NBA All-Star debut. His Sunday performance was worthy of MVP honors.
Kansas basketball fans have a full schedule to keep up with current and former Jayhawks. Saturday night’s come from behind victory over West Virginia was stressful and fun. Sunday’s NBA All-Star game allowed Jayhawk fans to relax and enjoy. Joel Embiid, the first Jayhawk in the All-Star game since 2012, had a busy, and very successful weekend.
As usual, Embiid made news and highlights from the moment he arrived in sunny, southern California for the festivities. Since he earned an All-Star game start (the first Jayhawk since Wilt Chamberlain), I was surprised he also participated in the Rising Stars dunk fest. Embiid was the only player in both the Rising Stars game and Sunday’s All-Star contest.
He didn’t play much in the Rising Stars event but just enough to leave his imprint on his World team’s successful outcome. Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo described Embiid’s second half jam as the game’s best. As a matter of fact, the 7-foot-2 native of Cameroon finished that game with 5 points, a couple of rebounds in 9 minutes.
On Sunday, Jayhawk fans saw Embiid do much more among the game’s best. It didn’t take long for him to make his mark on this showcase. He scored first for team Stephen helping his team to a first quarter lead. Embiid didn’t hesitate and attacked LeBron James and anyone else who got in his way. The twitter world featured Embiid’s aggressive play on both ends of the court. He hit shots from beyond the arc on the way to 19 points. He also blocked two shots including one a Russell Westbrook layup.
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Sunday’s performance will leave a lasting impression
Embiid’s team didn’t win but the former Jayhawk made Kansas basketball fans very proud. In twenty minutes of action against the best players in the world he showed he belongs on this stage. He didn’t earn MVP honors Sunday night. On the other hand, his season average of 23 points, 11 rebounds a game this season for the 76ers is certainly worthy of league MVP consideration.