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NBA Award Watch: Russell Westbrook is Oscar Robertson, the Chicago Bulls are good?

By John Buhler

Oct 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after defeating the Phoenix Suns 113-110 in overtime at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after defeating the Phoenix Suns 113-110 in overtime at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Rookie of the Year: Joel Embiid

It hasn’t been a great start to the year for many in this 2016-17 NBA rookie class. However, there is one guy that is making a name for himself early despite a minutes restriction: Joel “The Process” Embiid.

Embiid was the No. 3 overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014 NBA Draft. Because of injuries suffered at the University of Kansas and a few setbacks physically along the way, we are now seeing why Philadelphia was so high on this seven-footer from Cameroon.

Though he is only playing roughly 24 minutes a game, Embiid is incredibly efficient on the floor for Brett Brown’s 76ers. He is averaging 17.3 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game. Embiid is shooting 40 percent from three (!!) and 45.9 percent from the field. His PER is an impressive 22.9.

Philadelphia still struggles to win ball games during this well-documented rebuilding process. It has been anything but smooth sailing for the Philadelphia professional hoops team, but Embiid is proving that The Process was worth it. He is a must-watch every time he takes the court for the 76ers. We might be seeing the next Hakeem Olajuwon before our very eyes.

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