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NBA Award Watch: Quin Snyder sets the Jazz beat

By John Buhler

Dec 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with guard Raul Neto (25) during the second half against the Miami Heat at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Miami won 111-110. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder talks with guard Raul Neto (25) during the second half against the Miami Heat at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Miami won 111-110. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid warms up prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid warms up prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Rookie of the Year: Joel Embiid

Though he’s only played in 14 NBA games, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is the runaway favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year. The pitiful 76ers are unwatchable when Embiid isn’t on the court. Eventually they’ll get back No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons, but Embiid is a spectacular find for this rebuilding basketball team.

Through 14 NBA games, he’s averaging 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game for the 76ers. He’s averaging only 23.3 minutes per contest, but Philadelphia will remove his restrictions at some point.

Embiid runs like a gazelle and has ridiculous touch as a shooter for a seven-footer. He’s shooting 46.8 percent from the field, 50 percent from three and 77.6 percent at the line. We’re essentially looking at Hakeem Olajuwon with modern NBA range.

There are other players that could challenge Embiid for Rookie of the Year in the coming weeks or months. The two most likely candidates to usurp Embiid atop the rookie pedestal are Denver Nuggets shooting guard Jamal Murray or Embiid’s Philadelphia teammate Dario Saric. For now, this is Embiid’s award to lose.

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