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NBA Rookie Rankings: Joel Embiid begins ‘The Process’

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) stands for the national anthem prior to action against the Oklahoma City Thunder 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) stands for the national anthem prior to action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the NBA season about two weeks in, how have the rookies performed so far?

Who stands out from the newest class of NBA rookies is always something worth watching for. Some may do so right off the bat, while others could need time to adjust to the game. Just two weeks in, a few of the rookies have done the former, including a player in action for the first time since being drafted in 2014.

The season is early, but a handful of rookies are already worth noting. Some are from the 2016 NBA Draft, while others may have waited to make their debuts.

With this in mind, here are the best ones through a short time of NBA action.

Oct 29, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) stands on the court in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. The Celtics defeated the Hornets 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) stands on the court in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. The Celtics defeated the Hornets 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

. Previous: . Jaylen Brown. 5. team. 18.

The Boston Celtics somewhat surprised everyone when they took California’s Jaylen Brown in the 2016 NBA Draft. He had been a projected top-10 pick, but Kris Dunn had been mocked to them in almost every scenario.

Unlike most rookies taken at the top of the draft, Brown got to join one of the Eastern Conference’s best teams. So far, he’s proven to be a worthy addition to the rotation.

Through four games, Brown is averaging just 6.8 points per game, but is doing this efficiently. He’s 11-for-20 shooting and isn’t attempting threes as much as he did in college. This saw the 20-year-old average 3 threes per game, but only hit 29 percent of them.

If Brown can remain efficient, he’ll gain a larger role in Brad Stevens’ rotation. It won’t grow too much this season, especially if Jae Crowder continues to be a mainstay. However, if Crowder goes down (like he is now for one week), Brown may be in line for a chunk of minutes.

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