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NBA Award Watch: Fiz is rocking in Memphis

By John Buhler

Nov 14, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale attempts to get a referee
Nov 14, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale attempts to get a referee /
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Nov 21, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts as time winds down on a victory against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts as time winds down on a victory against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Rookie of the Year: Joel Embiid

It’s only Thanksgiving, but we might as well give the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year Award to Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. Not only has Embiid been by far and away the best rookie in the NBA through the first month, but the 76ers aren’t the worst team in basketball.

Yes, 4-10 through its first 14 games is good enough for last place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, but the 76ers have won three of their last four games against the dreck of the NBA. They are better than the Phoenix Suns (4-11) and the Dallas Mavericks (2-11).

Embiid has played in 10 games as a professional basketball player for the 76ers. He is averaging 18.4 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game in the 22.2 minutes per contest he plays. Philadelphia is a better and more interesting when he is on the floor.

To think that the 76ers would have four wins before Thanksgiving without seeing No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons play a single second for Philadelphia is just remarkable. Trust the Process because The Process is playing outstanding basketball in his rookie season for the 76ers.

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