Fansided

5 NBA players having breakout 2016-17 seasons

By Roje Smith

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 20: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors dunks against Pero Antic #6 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on February 20, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 20: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors dunks against Pero Antic #6 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on February 20, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 5: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a made basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center on November 5, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cavaliers defeated the 76ers 102-101. The NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 5: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a made basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center on November 5, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cavaliers defeated the 76ers 102-101. The NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

4. Joel Embiid – C – Philadelphia 76ers

After playing one year of college ball for the Kansas Jayhawks and being selected third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, there were high expectations for Joel Embiid. After all, he was able to receive the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award and numerous all-conference honors in only one season. Additionally, his game is modeled after Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon and the Philadelphia 76ers felt that they had their franchise center.

Unfortunately, Embiid wasn’t able to play for his first two seasons in the league. He suffered a broken bone in his right foot which led to him sitting out the 2014-15 season. After suffering setbacks with the healing process, Joel was forced to miss the entire 2015-16 season as well. Therefore, even though it’s his third year employed by the NBA, it’s actually his rookie season right now. In order to protect their investment entering this season, the 76ers announced Embiid as their starting center. However, they also expressed that they would limit his minutes and give him rest on back-to-back games.

So far  this season, Embiid is clearly establishing himself as one of the better centers in the league. He is averaging 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. He is also shooting nearly 80 percent from the free throw line. What makes those numbers even more impressive is that he’s doing it in only 22 minutes per game. Once he starts receiving 30-plus minutes, he has a serious chance at becoming the best big man in the league.

Not all rookies with high upside show their potential right away. However, Embiid isn’t one of them. His breakout season is happening right now and fans in Philadelphia should be excited about the future of their franchise.

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