AJ Neuharth-Keusch

USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid is leading the NBA Rookie of the Year race, and it's not even close.

Of his 10 games played, the 7-foot, 250-pound center has scored 20 or more points in five of them, despite playing just 22.2 minutes a night. And his per-game statistics — 18.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks — blow the rest of the rookie class out of the water.

But those numbers don't tell the whole story.

Still hindered by minutes restrictions as he eases his way into NBA action after two foot surgeries and two missed seasons, Embiid's per 36-minute numbers — a metric used to predict the statistics of players who don't play starters' minutes — are a gaudy 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 3.7 blocks, per basketball-reference.com

Though the per 36-minute statistic is speculative and doesn't include factors such as fatigue and on-court competition level, Embiid's 29.8 points is fourth in the NBA when compared to players with more than 200 minutes played, trailing only Russell Westbrook (32.7), DeMar DeRozan (30.2) and Anthony Davis (30.1).

In fact, in the past 20 NBA seasons, the only players who have averaged 29 or more points per 36 minutes using the same criteria are: Stephen Curry (31.7 points; 2015-16 season), Westbrook (29.5 points; 2014-15 season), Kevin Durant (29.9 points; 2013-14 season), Kobe Bryant (31.1 points; 2005-06 season) and Tracy McGrady (29.3 points; 2002-03 season).

Let's be clear: There is a lot that has to go right for Embiid to continue to produce at such an elite level throughout his entire rookie campaign. Players — especially rookies — often hit a wall as they go through the trials and tribulations of an 82-game season.

But 10 games in, we have no choice but to Trust the Process.

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