The hardcore NBA fans that keep their eye on the statistics and standings throughout the entire season have probably been consistently changing their minds about who should win the awards for Coach of the Year, Most Improved Player and maybe even the MVP. However, one award that seems incredibly obvious at this point is the NBA Rookie of the Year. While some will want to promote that there is some sort of race for entertainment purposes, the reality is that even if he doesn’t play another game this season the award should likely go to Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers. Here is a look at the top NBA Rookie of the Year candidates right now.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Embiid has averaged 20.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, which are clearly the best numbers among all rookies. The fact that Embiid’s average point total is almost double the next-best rookie in his class speaks volumes and he has made a substantial difference on the floor for the 76ers this season. Philadelphia is 13-18 when Embiid is on the floor compared to 10-21 when he doesn’t play. No rookie has made a bigger impact for his club while playing at a higher level this season.
Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers
While Embiid would have been the most likely Rookie of the Year winner if he were healthy, his teammate Saric is the closest to him in terms of evaluating each rookie’s season based on production. Saric has averaged 11.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 40.1-percent from the field. His numbers have been even better this month as he’s averaged 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 threes in March. Saric is now your frontrunner for Rookie of the Year candidacy as his production is simply too good to overlook at this point – especially with Embiid out.
Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks
Brogdon has produced a respectable rookie season with the Bucks, averaging 9.9 points, 4.0 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game. Milwaukee hasn’t leaned on Brogdon the same way that Philadelphia leaned on Embiid but he has been a steady producer so he deserves to be in this conversation. Brogdon still has time to make a stronger impression on ROY voters but he has an uphill climb to catch Embiid with the Bucks fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Yogi Ferrell, Dallas Mavericks
Ferrell got a late start with Dallas but there is no doubt that he at least deserves mention here. Ferrell has averaged 9.8 points, 3.8 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 three-point shots in just 25.8 minutes per game for the Mavericks this season. Dallas has clearly been a much better team with Ferrell in the lineup but the fact that he started late and has played in just 27 games clearly hurts his ROY stock. There is still time for the contenders in this year’s rookie class to make a stronger impression but right now it appears to be Embiid all alone as the obvious selection for NBA Rookie of the Year.
Marquese Chriss, Phoenix Suns
Criss has been coming on of late and has moved out of the categories of solid rookies to one that’s in the top tier of this year’s class. He’s been excellent of late, averaging 10.8 points per game over his last 10 contests. Suns head coach Earl Watson has started to feed him minutes and the results have been impressive. Since the All-Star break, he’s delivering 11.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.4 threes, 1.6 blocks and 0.9 steals per game. That’s impressive.
Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings
Of course, Hield was an afterthought with the New Orleans Pelicans. Many deemed him to be a bust in the making .However, a transition to Sacramento as part of the DeMarcus Cousins trade has been just waht the doctor ordered for him. With the Pelicans, Hield played just 20.4 minutes per game while scoring 8.6 points per game with 1.6 threes while shooting 39.2% from the field. Since coming over to the Kings, Hield is averaging 13.9 points per game with 2.4 threes per contest while making 52.3% of his shots. He’s been awesome in the month of March, averaging 14.3 points with 3.2 rebounds, and 3.0 threes. He’s found a home in Sacramento and if he continues to play like this, the Cousins trade won’t look so lopsided in the long run.
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