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2017 NBA Rookie Ladder: Who Can Challenge Joel Embiid?

By Nathan Grubel

Nov 19, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts after a defensive stop against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 120-105. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts after a defensive stop against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 120-105. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) in the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) in the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks

Now is where we start getting into a few guys who have surprised so far this season.

Malcolm Brogdon wasn’t drafted among most of his peers on this list. In fact, he’s the first second-round selection in these rankings.

Still, the fact that he’s an NBA player has prevailed in his early play for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Yes 6.8 points per game 36 percent shooting from the field won’t set the world on fire. But it’s how he’s getting those points that’s encouraging.

He’s shown the ability to convert from the free throw line and beyond the NBA arc. Those were two main concerns with him coming out of college. He shot a remarkable percentage from deep in his last season at Virginia, but scouts wanted to be sure that wasn’t just a mirage.

The overall numbers haven’t been extremely optimistic regarding efficiency as a shooter.

But he just started playing in the world’s toughest professional basketball league. Naturally he’ll continue to adjust his shot and timing to get things just right.

What he’s done in his minutes more importantly is play defense. He could end up as the team’s top wing defender next to Giannis Antetokounmpo by the end of the year.

Brogdon has excellent size and length for his position, and he has the lateral quickness to switch and keep his man in front of him.

Head coach Jason Kidd wants to switch on defense as much as possible. Brogdon helps him do that each possession while not completely compromising the team on offense.

He has a high ceiling as a “3-and-D” player in the NBA. Now he just needs to find consistency on offense.