NBA Awards Watch: Predicting The Rookie Of The Year Race

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

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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Jan 28, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard K.J. McDaniels (14) misses a dunk after he was fouled during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers beat the Pistons 89-69. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

4. K.J. McDaniels – Philadelphia 76ers, SG

Want to see someone make a huge volleyball spike on a basketball for a blocked shot? Of course you do, and that’s the reason why the rookie that’s created the most excitement on the Philadelphia 76ers is their rookie shooting guard, K.J. McDaniels.

The fact that McDaniels was selected in the second round is a travesty in itself, but he’s very quickly rewritten the narrative. McDaniels at times has looked like the most indispensable player on the roster because of the way that he plays the game of basketball.

McDaniels impacts the game in so many ways other than scoring that it’s baffling why teams didn’t select him earlier. McDaniels on the season is averaging 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 blocked shots.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone the second that McDaniels scoring numbers start to pick up later in the season. It would be a surprise if he doesn’t average double figure points in his rookie season.

Next: 3. Nerlens Noel