Joel Embiid Should Already Have Rookie of the Year Locked Up

Every so often a player comes along who changes the landscape of an NBA franchise's future. Many have the ability to do it on the court, but few have the ability to also do it off the court.

Let's start with the on-the-court stuff. Embiid is average 20.2 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, and 2.5 blocks per game. In 25.4 minutes per game of playing time. In his first season back from a two year layoff. Without any summer league seasoning. He is putting up historic Per 36 averages on par with the likes of Wilt Chamberlain and Hakeem Olajuwon, and his plus/minuses are off the charts. In the month of January alone, the Sixers went 8-2 in games where Joel Embiid played. That's 8 wins for a team that won 10 games total all of last season. In those games the Sixers were a +15.2 with him on the court and a -7.4 without him. He impacts the game both offensively and defensively the way very few can.

Unfortunately, here is another stat: Embiid has only played 31 games, and may end up finishing the season on the bench as he continues to recover from a bone bruise and partially torn meniscus in his left knee. Some may argue he hasn't played enough to qualify as a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate. Why screw over Malcolm Brogdon or the Sixers' own Dario Saric for the award when all they have done is play games? Well, for one, getting injured isn't Joel Embiid's fault, so he shouldn't be punished for something he can't control. Besides that, the Rookie of the Year award is about recognition. It's about giving notoriety to rookie athletes for impressive accomplishments. Joel Embiid single-handedly brought recognition and notoriety to a dead and floundering franchise, which hasn't had any kind of significant buzz or fan-interest since 2001... until now. Embiid has put a proud and historic franchise back on the map, so much so, that NBA superstar James Harden had the following quotes to say about him:

"He's probably the most skilled big man we have in this league."

"He has a bright future and Philly has got something special here."

The league is taking notice, and that is what stars do. Stars turn bum fuck franchises into destinations. To be a true superstar, your presence off the court has to be transcendent along with your ability on the court. Joel Embiid has it in spades. This is something that neither Dario Saric or Malcolm Brogdon can bring, with all due respect to them. As a rookie, Embiid is already the team leader, and his infectious personality and will to win has been the perfect compliment to Brett Brown's positive attitude. The concoction has led to the Sixers reaching the 22 win mark-more than doubling last season's win total already. The team, even without him, plays with a fire, confidence, and intensity that they simply didn't have last season. Even with Brett Brown. The key missing ingredient was Joel Embiid. Whether or be 40 games, 35 games, 31 games, or 10 games, Joel Embiid is your Rookie of the Year.