Valley of the Suns Season Awards

Mar 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts in the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts in the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
12 of 19

1st Place

Dario Saric (76)

Minutes Points Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks FG% TS%
26.3 12.8 6.3 2.2 0.7 0.4 41.1% 50.8%

Dario Saric is going to run away with this award. The 2016 rookie class overall has been lackluster but Saric has been a bright spot. With or without his partner in crime Joel Embiid, Saric has performed spectacularly. Saric is the prototypical stretch four of the modern NBA. He can do a little of everything. His strongest attribute is taking slower power forwards off the dribble and finishing at the hoop. Saric is extremely mobile for his position and when he drives from the three-point line his speed out matches the abilities of opposing bigs to adjust.

Post All-Star Break:

Points Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks
17.3 5.8 3.4 0.9 0.6

Philadelphia has a knack to make rookies look better than advertised. Michael Carter-Williams and Jahlil Okafor have been the most recent victims of this but as of now Saric has been the best performing rookie and combined with a disappointing class Saric steals the award this season.