2017 NBA Rookie of the Year
Here’s just a quick one, my first piece since last summer. I’m going to look at this year’s race to the NBA Rookie of the Year (ROY) award, as the NBA regular season approaches its close.
Luck really hasn’t been on the side of this year’s rookies, with the number one draft pick Ben Simmons being ruled out with injury before the season even started. Then with Joel Embiid putting up unbelievable numbers in his 31 games (20.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.5 bpg), before injury ruled him out for the rest of the season as well.
Instead of being a battle between future stars, this year’s race is looking more like a battle of solid role players. With no player clearly leading the way, it seems to be a two-way battle between Dario Saric, and Malcolm Brogdon.
While Embiid’s numbers were undoubtedly ROY worthy, missing 62 per cent of his team’s games is believed to be far too many for some to be considered for the award. I have no doubt Embiid will get some first-place votes, but I am sure he will be left off the ballot by others.
Dario Saric — Philadelphia 76ers (PF)
Just about everywhere you look, Croatian born Dario Saric is at the top spot to win this year’s ROY award. Much like Embiid, the Sixers man was drafted two years ago, but didn’t get to taste NBA action until this season.
Starting off the season slow, since the All-Star break Saric is averaging an impressive 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Joining Allen Iverson and Charles Barkley, among others, in becoming only the 11th rookie in Sixers history to score 1,000 points in a season.
With his exceptional dribbling, and flashy passes, for a power forward, he has stepped up to lead the Philadelphia frontcourt in the absence of Embiid. However, Saric is making just 41.1 per cent of his field goals, which falls well below the 45.7 league average. Additionally, with the lack of offensive options on the 76ers post-Embiid, he is not competing with any other player for touches. Although, some see this as potentially making his usage rate higher than it should be.
For the season, Dario Saric is averaging 12.8 points, and 6.3 rebounds, on a struggling Philadelphia team. Also, it has to be noted, he has not missed a game this year.
Malcolm Brogdon — Milwaukee Bucks (PG/SG)
Being drafted 36th overall in the 2016 draft, a win for the Bucks guard would certainly be historic. If he wins ROY, he would be the first-ever second-round pick to win such award. Considered by many as the NBA’s top newcomer, Brogdon catches the eye for his positioning, defensive presence on the perimeter, and ability to knock down open looks. Much like Saric, Brogdon has improved throughout the duration of the season.
Seeing 26.5 minutes per game on a playoff bound Bucks team, Malcolm Brogdon is averaging 10.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game on 45.7 percent shooting (40.4 from three..). Unlike Saric, he is not the focus of the Bucks’ offense. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, Khris Middleton, and Greg Munroe ahead of him in scoring.
Whilst his numbers are pretty solid for a rookie season, his scoring production is not as high as Saric, which is often a strong criterion when comparing players for the ROY award. However, Brogdon is a noteworthy contender due his low draft position, alongside proving himself as a valuable contributor on a playoff team, and recording the only triple-double of this year’s rookie class.
With the last five winners averaging 17.9 points per game, significantly more than Saric and Brogdon’s totals. This year’s ROY will be the lowest scorer to win in over 60 years, unless Embiid pulls it out of the bag!
While neither of these contenders hold particularly eye-catching stats, both are solid young players who will play a huge part in their team’s futures. The award honestly could go either way. In the meantime, here are the stats of both players, which certainly sparks some debate..
Honourable mentions: Buddy Hield (Sacramento Kings), Marquese Chriss (Phoenix Suns), Willy Hernangomez (New York Knicks).
Thank you for reading, and follow me on Twitter here. Oh, and do let me know who you think should win this year’s Rookie of the Year award?
