Just How Good Are Philadelphia 76ers 2016 NBA Rookie Class?

2 of 8

Dec 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) misses a dunk attempt past Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Denver Nuggets won 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Trust The Process

No player in the NBA has been so very dependent upon their general manager as Joel Embiid had been to Sam Hinkie. So many cheaply state just how obvious it was to the NBA basketball minds that Embiid would be a franchise player. But at the time, he entered the 2014 NBA Draft with a fractured foot, stress fractures in his back, and a very shallow history of basketball experience to draw upon.

Live Feed

Bill Simmons 'guarantees' Knicks will have one of three stars by next year /

Daily Knicks

NBA Rumors: Joel Embiid willing to 'ride out' James Harden situation? Sir Charles In Charge

NBA rumors: 76ers core willing to mend fences with James Harden FanSided

NBA Rumors: Knicks dream target reportedly not considering a trade just yet Daily Knicks

4 Stars the Knicks could swap RJ Barrett for by the trade deadline Daily Knicks

3 Red flags Knicks must consider before going all-in on Joel Embiid trade Daily Knicks

Top selection Cleveland Cavaliers readily walked right on past, despite having a need at the post, and selected small forward Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins was subsequently traded tot he Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love. In Minnesota, he is averaging 22.1 points per game.

Secondly, the Milwaukee Bucks chose power forward Jabari Parker. So far, he is averaging 19.0 points per game.

Worth The Wait

In Philadelphia, the 76ers were content to select Joel Embiid as the third pick of the 2014 NBA Draft. Only one of two centers who came to the NBA in the 2014 draft from that first round (the other is Denver Nuggets Jusuf Nurkic), his NBA debut did not happen in 2014, nor in 2015.

But 2016 proved worth the wait. He is creating a “stretch-5” position in the NBA. What do I mean? He is shooting 44.2 percent from the three point line (19-43) to go with 45.8 percent shooting from the floor and 77.8 percent shooting from the foul line. That all adds up to his 18.2 points per game average.

But he does so much more. He accounts for 7.6 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists, 2.5 blocks, and even reaches in for an occasional .6 steal per game. His production is so good, that he is outdistancing all competition for rookie of the year.

But this team is not built sole on Joel Embiid’s shoulders. There are others waiting in the wings as well. But clearly the Embiid selection was the right choice.

Rookie Grade: A + (extra credit)