When Joel Embiid was snubbed out of last year's All-Star game, he was also robbed of a date with his celebrity crush.
He took the disappointment in stride.
The Sixers' center might get that date this year after all.
Embiid, emerging as a legitimate NBA star, is considered a near-lock to make it to the Feb. 18 game in Los Angeles.
The bigger question will be if Sixers rookie point guard Ben Simmons will make the cut.
About the rule change: before last season, the NBA changed its All-Star voting procedures to weigh votes from players and select NBA Media, as well as the typical fan vote.