What they're saying about Sixers: Who should be 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year?

It's no stretch to suggest that the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year award will go to one of three players: Sixers center Joel Embiid, forward Dario Saric or Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon.

As you can see, it's a close race, one that will likely come down to the panel's collective feeling about Embiid playing in so few games.

Sixers rookie Ben Simmons, who didn't play a game this season due to a broken foot, wouldn't pick between his two teammates, but eliminated the Bucks guard from consideration.

“Somebody from the Sixers for sure,” he told reporters on Thursday.

Richaun Holmes, who saw a big spike in minutes once Embiid was shut down for the season, also opted for the diplomatic response, but was slightly more creative in how he went about it.

"Joel Saric," he said.

As for Embiid himself, the Sixers rookie center has no trouble deciding. He recently told Jackie MacMullan of ESPN.com that he's worthy of winning despite appearing in just 31 games:

"I think so," Embiid said [when asked if he should be the Rookie of the Year]. "I mean, no disrespect to other guys. Dario [Saric] is my teammate and my friend, and I love him. And I know Malcolm [Brogdon] from when I was visiting schools. When I made my visit to Virginia, he took me around. They both had great seasons.

"I know people are saying about me, 'Oh, he only played 31 games.' But look at what I did in those 31 games -- averaging the amount of points I did in just 25 minutes.

"I'm not sure why people want to punish me for that. Even going back to the All-Star Game. I didn't get chosen for that, and people were killing me because I didn't play 30 minutes a game. But here's what I don't understand: If I put up those numbers in less time than another guy, what's the difference? Doesn't it mean I did more in less time? Wait until I play as many minutes as those guys, then you will see what I do.

"But people have their own ideas about how they vote for things."  [espn.com]

Unfortunately for Embiid, who, like Saric, will also have to overcome the voting process, those "ideas" are more frequently resulting in him be penalized for his lack of playing time this season.

Even if they don't know the name of the other guy they'd vote for instead...

Yikes.

Here's a look at what the national media is saying about the Rookie of the Year race:

Better than nothing?

Staff | CBSSports.com

The guys over at CBSSports.com picked winners for all the year-end awards, but we’re only worried about Rookie of the Year. And based on their votes, it’s not looking good for either Sixers rookie.

Here’s what they had to say:

Bill Reiter: Dario Saric

It's a down season for rookies, but Dario Saric has been a rare bright spot on a team in desperate need of them. Discounting teammate Joel Embiid, who played in just 31 games, Saric leads rookies in points per game and is second in rebounds per game.

Ethan Skolnick: Malcolm Brogdon

Second in minutes in an uninspiring rookie class, and first in win shares, steals and assists, while keeping turnovers down and shooting efficiently (40.3 percent from three, 86.5 percent from the line), the mature play-maker has been a season-long factor on a competitive team.

Matt Moore: Malcolm Brogdon

I was sold on Saric, had his name in there and everything. But Brogdon does so much for the Bucks. He's already a good defender. He's their best play-maker behind Giannis Antetokounmpo. He's shooting above 40 percent from 3-point range. And he's doing this on a team that is in the playoffs, where it's even harder to get minutes. Saric has been great. Brogdon has been the best rookie in a class compromised by Joel Embiid's injury.

James Herbert: Malcolm Brogdon

Few rookies help their team win, but Brogdon did that consistently all season with heady defense and a desperately needed combination of shooting and play-making.

Jack Maloney: Malcolm Brogdon

He's leading rookies in assists and steals, is fourth in scoring and is shooting over 40 percent from downtown. Plus, he stole the starting point guard role and has been instrumental in the Bucks' late-season playoff push.

Joseph Levin: Malcolm Brogdon

Malcolm Brogdon leads all rookies in assists and steals, while sitting second in 3-point percentage and fourth in scoring. The all-important factor, of course: He's doing it on a playoff team.  [cbssports.com]

It's not getting better...

Staff | ProBasketballTalk

Here’s how the ProBasketballTalk staff would vote for ROY – and it’s important to note that Kurt Helin has an official ballot this year. [We just included their picks; to see why they voted the way they did, click here.]

Kurt Helin
1. Malcolm Brogdon, Bucks
2. Joel Embiid, 76ers
3. Willy Hernangomez, Knicks

Dan Feldman
1. Malcolm Brogdon, Bucks
2. Joel Embiid, 76ers
3. Dario Saric, 76ers

Dane Carbaugh
1. Malcolm Brogdon, Bucks
2. Dario Saric, 76ers
3. Joel Embiid, 76ers

[nba.nbcsports.com]

More Brogdon love

Scott Howard-Cooper | NBA.com

That Brogdon is also the feel-good story of a second-round pick, No. 36 overall, who beat long odds should have no place in the decision. The judgment should be on where a player is, not where he was as training camp opened. Besides, Saric has the positive story line of coming to the NBA after being drafted, spending two more seasons in Europe as hype built, and showing he was worth the wait. Embiid similarly made the 76ers look good for being patient as he came back after losing the two previous seasons to injury and tore through most of the competition while flashing a fun personality.

It is Brogdon’s efficiency and dependability that makes the difference. If he wins, his 10.2 points per game would be the lowest ever for a Rookie of the Year, less than the 10.7 of 1952-53 winner Don “Monk” Meineke. Brogdon is shooting 45.3 percent overall, No. 12 in the class, (second among rookie guards) -- a good number for a veteran playing in the backcourt -- and 40.3 percent behind the arc.  [nba.com]

RELATED: How voting process can prevent Saric and Embiid from winning ROY