With the NBA moving away from the era of dominant centers and faster-paced action, it's been four years since NBA Vice President Stu Jackson gave that explanation and removed the position from the All-Star ballot, giving the opportunity for three frontcourt players to make the cut.
Philadelphia 76ers rookie Joel Embiid wants the center position to come back, given how the ballot change has mainly benefitted forwards with fewer centers as starters during the All-Star Game.
“You've got KAT (Karl-Anthony Towns), you've got Myles Turner, you've got Kristaps (Porzingis), so a lot of young guys, a lot of dominant big men, Andre Drummond. I'm hoping they bring back the center position for All-Star,” Embiid said after the Sixers grabbed their fourth win of the season against the Miami Heat on Monday, according to CSN Philly's Jessica Camerato. “Around the league, there's a lot of young big men and I think we're starting a comeback.”
Players like Drummond, Towns, and Turner are indeed true centers and not the modern hybrids that can play either position. Embiid and fellow 7-footer Hassan Whiteside are some of the few players who have been very vocal about the importance of the position and their desire to bring it to relevance once again.
Embiid has made a case with his numbers, averaging 18.4 points in 49.2 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from three, along with 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game in only 22.2 minutes per contest.
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