NBA Award Watch: James Harden rises to the top
By John Buhler
Rookie of the Year: Dario Saric
The Philadelphia 76ers are on the verge of being eliminated from yet another Eastern Conference Playoffs. However, things are starting to get better with Philadelphia hoops ever so slightly. The team isn’t abysmal anymore, but still really bad. They also might have the NBA Rookie of the Year.
No, it won’t end up being almost-All-Star center Joel Embiid because 31 games isn’t good enough. It won’t be 2016 No. 1 overall pick in point guard Ben Simmons because he hasn’t played a minute for the 76ers due to a broken foot suffered in training camp.
In all likelihood, 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year will end up going to 76ers power forward Dario Saric. This has not been an impressive collection of rookies, but Saric has been by far and away the most consistent player.
He continues to get better every time he takes the court for head coach Brett Brown. His NBA ceiling isn’t overly high, but Saric is proving to be the most productive player that was drafted by the 76ers during the Sam Hinkie era. That should matter and Saric has been a big reason behind Philadelphia’s ability to be 20 games better this year than last. This isn’t anything close to a 10-win team any more