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2017 NBA Rookie Ladder: Joel Embiid Leading The Race Early

By Nathan Grubel

Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) punches the back post in reaction to his foul against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) punches the back post in reaction to his foul against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Joel Embiid has been the best NBA rookie by far very early on, but who else has made some noise and put themselves in the Rookie of the Year conversation?

Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) punches the back post in reaction to his foul against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) punches the back post in reaction to his foul against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s very early in the 2016-17 NBA season, yet there’s been some positives for the young guys already.

The Philadelphia 76ers look like they have multiple Rookie of the Year contenders in the fold. That especially holds true depending on when Ben Simmons returns from injury.

Meanwhile things haven’t exactly been what we expected with the No. 2 overall pick out in Los Angeles.

And one overlooked lottery pick is getting minutes and making himself known in the Phoenix Suns‘ rotation.

Related Story: 10 NBA Players On Their Last Chance In 2016-17

All in all the rookies have disappointed as a collective unit, with fewer players getting meaningful minutes at this point than last year’s crop.

But they’re all rookies for a reason. They’re young and inexperienced, and won’t beat out too many veterans for starting spots.

Regardless, here’s a look at five guys who have emerged a little ahead of the pack.

And don’t worry, next week we’ll be back to our regular 10 guys in the ladder. There just haven’t been enough games to properly evaluate those who’ve played such limited minutes.