Joel Embiid's Rookie of the Year odds even more overwhelming

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Joel Embiid was already the heavy favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year, but the latest odds are even more overwhelming.

Embiid is 1/25 to win the award, per Bovada, meaning it would require a $2,500 wager on him to win $100. 

Those odds are significantly shorter than the previous update, 2-to-15 on Jan. 3.

It makes sense — even though Embiid missed six games in January, he averaged 23.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.6 blocks in 26.7 minutes per game. The Sixers were 7-2 in the games he played in January.

No rookie has come close to Embiid's numbers, and again keep in mind he's done this on a 28-minute restriction. There are actually three rookies averaging more minutes than Embiid, who leads first-year players in points, rebounds and blocks.

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Malcolm Brogdon is second in Bovada's Rookie of the Year odds at 20/1. 

The 2016-17 rookie class has been so mediocre that Ben Simmons, who obviously hasn't yet played a game as he recovers from a Jones fracture, is third at 25/1. 

Dario Saric, Buddy Hield (NO), Brandon Ingram (LAL), Jamal Murray (DEN) and Pascal Siakam (TOR) are tied at 33/1.

Saric had one of his most impressive games of the season in Monday's comeback win over the Kings, finishing in traffic, hitting jumpers and showing the flashy passing ability Sixers fans heard about for two years before his arrival. Saric had 17 points, five rebounds and a career-high six assists vs. Sacramento. 

As for MVP, James Harden has moved ahead of Russell Westbrook and is the new favorite at 10/11. Westbrook is 5/4.

What would have been less believable at the start of the season: that Westbrook would average a triple-double, or that he'd do it and not win MVP?

Westbrook is averaging 30.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 10.3 assists, is shooting 42 percent from the field and 33 percent from three for the 28-21 Thunder.

Harden is averaging 28.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 11.5 assists, is shooting 44 percent from the field and 34 percent from three for the 36-15 Rockets. He had the best statistical game of the NBA season against the Sixers last Friday with 51 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists.

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