PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- The last time the Philadelphia 76ers had three players make the All-Star team was the 1986-87 season. They were Julius Erving, Charles Barkley and Maurice Cheeks.
Is it possible they could have three again this year?
Joel Embiid is a virtual lock. Ben Simmons has been an All-Star the past two seasons and is definitely more than worthy. His scoring is down this season, but he does so many other things well — defend, facilitate, rebound — it would be a snub if he didn’t make it.
And then there’s forward Tobias Harris. He has never been an All-Star, despite being considered borderline before.
Harris was the star of Wednesday’s thrilling 107-106 win over the defending champion Lakers at Wells Fargo Center thanks to his game-winning 15-foot jumper in the final seconds after the Sixers coughed up a huge lead.
Afterwards came up a conversation about whether the Sixers should have three All Stars this year, including Harris.
"I've always just been about winning and letting that handle itself," Harris said, "but I’ve been playing consistently at an All-Star level every night."
Some outsiders, media and fans believe that Harris has not performed up to the level of the lucrative, long-term contract he signed with the Sixers prior to last season. Some say Sixers General Manager Elton Brand was unwise to commit that much money to Harris.
However, Harris has played very well this season. He’s second on the team, averaging just over 20 points a game, and his shooting percentages are up, as well.
Coach Doc Rivers said he doesn’t really focus on the All-Star process, but as far as his three top players: "They’ve all played just unbelievable basketball for our team and we’ve got a great record, so if we keep winning, it’ll take care of itself. I’ll put it that way."
The Sixers currently sit at first place in the Eastern Conference with a 13-6 record, including 10-0 when all five starters (Embiid, Simmons, Harris, Seth Curry and Danny Green) play.
"We've all been consistent," Embiid said. "Obviously being first in the East helps for our candidacy to all be All-Stars. But we winning. We all doing it, been doing it as a group, and we all deserve a chance."
The NBA announced that All-Star voting will run from Thursday through Feb. 16. The final tally comprises 50% fan votes, 25% current player votes, and 25% votes from a media panel.
Because of the pandemic, the league says that discussions about having an actual game — as has been tradition during normal times — are ongoing.
"I’m not one to always toot my own horn, but in the past I’ve had a couple times where I felt like I should’ve been there, but I didn’t make it," Harris said. "So, that would be my little pitch for it right there."