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NBA Awards Watch: Predicting The Rookie Of The Year Award Race

By DJoumbarey A. Moreau

Feb 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; World Team guard Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves (22) is interviewed by broadcaster Rachel Nichols (right) after being named the MVP after the game against the U.S. Team at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; World Team guard Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves (22) is interviewed by broadcaster Rachel Nichols (right) after being named the MVP after the game against the U.S. Team at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 6, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) dunks the ball during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) dunks the ball during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Nerlens Noel – Philadelphia 76ers, PF

In the future the team that could have one of the best front lines in the league is the Philadelphia 76ers. Because of the players on their team such as Joel Embiid, and their rookie Nerlens Noel, the duo could form the best power forward-center combination since Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.

For as good as Bynum and Gasol were on offense, Embiid and Noel are going to become that on defense.

Noel is so good on defense that it’s scary that he’s a rookie. In due time Noel could be considered one of the best defenders in the league the way that he’s played in his rookie season.

On the year Noel is averaging 8.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game.

The reasoning for Noel’s big second half in the All-Star break will be simple. He didn’t play in his first season due to injury, but now that he’s healthy he’s going to keep playing the game of basketball as if he might not have another chance to.

Next: 2. Jordan Clarkson