NBA Award Predictions Roundtable: Rookie of the Year

Joel Embiid

“Although he was struck with injury, I believe Joel Embiid is the rookie of the year. Embiid took the league by storm and solidified the idea of “trusting the process.” Embiid was a force on both sides of the ball and a great teammate. I think Embiid deserves the award for his play, perseverance, and future in this league.” –Blake Heckel

Dallas Mavericks

“Embiid’s season-ending injury  is endlessly frustrating for a player as injury-prone as Embiid. But that does not take away from the fact that Embiid made Nerlens Noel expendable, and made Jahlil Okafor a trade target for many other teams. Embiid is clearly the 76ers’ ideal starting center for the forseeable future and relieves the logjam that the team has been dealing with at the center position.” –Evan Siegel

“It has not been a great crop of rookies so far this year, with no one really setting themselves apart. Names like Malcolm Brogdon and Dario Saric will be thrown around, but ultimately neither have done enough in my book. Despite only playing about half a season, I think Joel Embiid deserves Rookie of the Year. He is clearly the best player among them and had a great season when he was playing.” –Sam Casey

“Embiid gets the nod here because he was the most spectacular thing to happen to the 76ers in years. He played less than half the season and still put up better numbers and was more entertaining to watch than the rest of the candidates put together. Malcolm Brogden and Dario Saric have both put up solid rookie seasons, but Embiid is an obviously better player than both of them, even if his knees are made of grass. Trust the process, and give Embiid this award.” –Shawn James

Next: Malcolm Brogdon