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Ranking Top 5 Rookies So Far

By Kyle Tomasi

Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) scores past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) and guard J.R. Smith (5) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) scores past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) and guard J.R. Smith (5) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

The clear frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, Joel Embiid has proven that the wait was worth the pain.

The former Kansas Jayhawk has been balling out this season, something that the Philadelphia 76ers desperately needed and wanted. “Trust the process” was a slogan coined by former general manager Sam Hinkie that Embiid is turning into the living embodiment of as he turns into a star.

He played one year at Kansas and didn’t dazzle anyone with his stat line. Averaging 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, the third overall pick in the 2014 draft had high hopes in his first season in Philly.

A broken foot sidelined Embiid his first two seasons. However, since getting the nod from doctors at the beginning of this season, he has not looked back.

Embiid is leading all rookies with 17.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. He has proven to be an absolute beast when given the chance.

Oh yeah, did we mention that the 76ers are wanting to limit his minutes? He is only getting 23.8 minutes per game and the team has done a good job of sticking to his minutes limit.

Even in crunch time, if Embiid has reached his minutes per game limit, the team has stayed strong in sitting him through those games.

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This is great for his health in order to assure that he doesn’t have any more setbacksm but if he is given 30-plus minutes a game, The Process could absolutely dominate.