USA TODAY International Edition
Rookies: Two 76ers in Top 3
USA TODAY Sports’ top three candidates for the NBA Rookie of the Year award ( Week 13, from Jan. 22 through Saturday; records and statistics reflected through Saturday).
Also receiving votes: Los Angeles Lakers’ Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans’ Buddy Hield, New York Knicks’ Willy Hernangomez
3. Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers: Saric put together three consecutive double- digit scoring performances last week. First was his 16- point, eight- rebound outing in Tuesday’s win against the Clippers, followed by 17 points on 7- for- 14 shooting in a win against the Bucks on Wednesday and 12 points, four rebounds and two assists in Friday’s loss to the Rockets. On the season, the 76ers’ “other rookie” is averaging 9.7 points and 5.8 rebounds — numbers that trail only teammate Joel Embiid on the rookie leaderboards.
2. Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks: Brogdon, who is averaging 9.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the Bucks this season, made highlight reels again with a monster dunk over 76ers center Nerlens Noel. “He’s a very talented man on and off the floor,” Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. “He’s playing at a very high level, and it’s well deserved. I think he’ll be considered for Rookie of the Year if he continues to play the way he’s playing.”
1. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers: The 76ers star 7footer was left off the list of All-Star reserves released Thursday, but the fact that he was even in the conversation to become the third rookie of the millennium to do so ( joining Blake Griffin and Yao Ming) speaks volumes to his impact, both on and off the court. The runaway Rookie of the Year has played in only one of the 76ers last five games — 32 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks in 28 minutes in a loss to the Rockets on Friday — thanks to a bit of knee soreness, but don’t expect his No. 1 status to take a hit.