NBA: Top 10 candidates to be first-time All-Stars in 2017-18

Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images /
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8. Joel Embiid

This one is obviously contingent on Joel Embiid staying healthy long enough to earn an All-Star spot, but he almost did it last year as a rookie when the conference still had Butler, PG-13, Melo and Millsap. Now that they’re gone, the only thing standing in the way of The Process is his own health.

Despite only playing 31 games, Embiid was on pace to submit perhaps the greatest rookie season in NBA history. In just 25.4 minutes a night, he put up 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from the 3-point line.

As one of the league’s rare, prized unicorns, Embiid is a two-way force who could lead the Philadelphia 76ers back to the playoffs. If the Sixers are in the playoff hunt and Embiid puts up similar numbers in his second season, he’ll be a no-brainer for the All-Star team.