Ben Simmons selected as an All-Star

It seems like this whole Process thing might have been a success. One week after Sixers center Joel Embiid was selected as an All-Star starter, teammate Ben Simmons was named an All-Star reserve.

Embiid and Simmons are the first pair of Sixers to make the All-Star game since Allen Iverson and Dikembe Mutumbo in 2002. Currently averaging 16.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, Simmons is the first Australian player to make the All-Star game. In just his sophomore season, being awarded not only a spot in the Rising Stars game, but also All-Star weekend’s main event, has Simmons on a clear star trajectory. Maybe this award will help people to focus on the 22-year-old’s strengths, more so than his one glaring weakness.

As you can see in the list above, new-ish Sixers star Jimmy Butler did not make the team. However, an injury replacement will be named for injured Pacers star Victor Oladipo. Adam Silver typically names the replacement based on who is next in line in balloting among the coaches. Consensus appears to be Oladipo’s replacement will be either Butler or Brooklyn Nets guard D’Angelo Russell.

Congratulations to Ben on a well-deserved honor. Here’s to many more like it.