The 2017/18 NBA rookie class has looked deep and impressive this season, with many players from last year’s draft already assuming key roles on their NBA clubs. However, the battle for this season’s Rookie of the Year has essentially been a two-man race for months. With apologies to Jayson Tatum and others, the vote will almost certainly come down to Ben Simmons vs. Donovan Mitchell.
Mitchell, the 13th overall pick in the 2017 draft, has done his part to help Jazz fans forget about Gordon Hayward‘s departure, averaging a team-high 20.5 PPG to go along with 3.7 APG, 3.7 RPG, and 1.5 SPG. After coming off the bench for several games near the start of the season, Mitchell has been a mainstay in Utah’s starting lineup since November, and had been a huge reason why the Jazz hold the No. 4 seed in the West — the team is 42-27 in games Mitchell starts.
While Mitchell’s rookie year has been outstanding, don’t count Simmons among those who will admit to being impressed by the Jazz guard. Asked by ESPN’s Chris Haynes which rookies around the NBA have caught his attention this season, Simmons promptly replied, “None.” The Sixers‘ point guard also didn’t mince words when asked about his own pick for Rookie of the Year.
“Who would I pick? Me, 100 percent,” Simmons told Haynes. “I think I have been playing solid all year. If you look at the numbers, you will see. People who know the game know.”
Simmons’ numbers are certainly worth mentioning. While he hasn’t scored at the same rate as Mitchell, posting 16.0 PPG for the year, 2016’s first overall pick has filled up the stat sheet with 8.2 APG, 8.1 RPG, and 1.7 SPG after missing the entire 2016/17 season. He has also made 54.7% of his shots from the field, though the fact that he has attempted just 11 three-pointers all season helps buoy that mark.
Like Mitchell’s Jazz, Simmons’ Sixers are in position to host a first-round playoff series, potentially as the No. 3 seed. And as good as the two rookies have been, they also both play alongside star centers – Rudy Gobert and Joel Embiid – who have arguably been the 2017/18 MVPs for Utah and Philadelphia, respectively. In other words, Mitchell and Simmons have very similar – and virtually equally compelling – cases for being named the 2017/18 Rookie of the Year.
What do you think? Would you pick Mitchell or Simmons as the 2017/18 Rookie of the Year? Is there another candidate that you think has a case to be at the forefront of the discussion? Does the fact that Simmons had an extra year of NBA seasoning affect your pick at all, even though he’s technically eligible for the award?
Vote below in our poll and jump into the comment section to share your thoughts!
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Mitchell is 1
Simmons is 2
Kuzma is 3
I put Mitchell first because the expectation weren’t as high for him as they were Simmons and he’s come in and helped fill the void Hayward left while helping the Jazz(along with Gobert) to the playoffs.
With that logic Kuzma’s the winner then. It’s was all suppose to be Lonzo Ball and Kuzma has been the Lakers MVP this season.
I put into consideration team success and draft position, along with circumstances.
when you not even a rookie but you think you rookie of the year
He didn’t play at all last year…how is he not a rookie? What’s the difference if he was hurt or stayed in college?
By definition, he’s not a rookie. I assume he got paid his first year in the NBA whether he was hurt or not. Now because he didn’t play his first year, does that mean he gets an extra year on his contract? I would say no. Therefore, he’s a second year player who missed his rookie season.
By definition he is a rookie. He played his first year in the NBA this year. That’s the criteria.
I stand corrected. Blake Griffin did back in 2010.
Mitchell by a long shot.
….. is the #2 ROY.
Winner is obviously Simmons.
It’s going to be Simmons but I’d rather it be Mitchell or Kuzma. I get that Simmons is still a rookie because he didn’t play last year but he still trained with the team, learned from the coaches and developed off the court chemistry with his teammates. I think it’s a bigger accomplishment to show up with little to no expectations and be the leader of your team which is absolutely Mitchell.
Simmons is a rookie by DEFINITION. He ain’t any older than most other rookies anyway as he was a one and done. Gtfoh with all that bs. Mitchell is a great player but Simmons is doing things that most vets let alone a rookie haven’t even done. His triple doubles alone set him part. He can impact the game in more ways than Mitchell can even with how good Mitchell is on offense. Simmons defense and passing and basketball is as well as rebounding set him apart even if he never develops a great shot. If you think Mitchell is better than him you don’t know the first thing about basketball even if Mitchell is a better shooter.
ding ding ding!
Mitchell is a scorer, Simmons is well rounded. Simmons has 11 TRIPLE Doubles, Mitchell has 0 DOUBLE Doubles. Simmons has more triple doubles than anyone in their Rookie Year other than Oscar Robertson.
Who cares about all that! Who is more valuable to their team and who has mattered more to their team success?! Simmons has had a lot more help on his team then Mitchell. Simmons isn’t even the best player on his team! The jazz would be nothing without Mitchell. Mitchell can actually shoot a jumper, and let’s not forget what this game is all about…getting buckets
Simmons. Best all around player as a rookie and he’s led his team to third seed for a team that has been a cellar dweller since forever. They were a laughing stock even during the first part of this season. Even with their talented center out, he guided them to their current 15 game win streak. Dude is the next nba superstar.
Great player yes.
Superstar?…. not until he learns a jumper outside of 17 ft.
That and hit a fricken free throw.
That fact alone could sit his asset on the bench in the close out of a 4th quarter.
I’m still on Mitchell
It’s Simmons…Stats and team improvement…No brained IMO
Even if he ain’t the best player on his team Simmons is carrying them right now WITHOUT Embid. Also if you wanna go that route Mitchell isn’t the best player on the Jazz, what about Gobert???? Come on lol. Mitchell is a good player, Simmons is a game changer. Look what Simmons did in the Cleveland game last week. Mitchell is a scorer and that’s it.
Simmons. He has been easily the best. What he brings is far more than Mitchell . Who saw 50 wins from the 76ers?
I was on Mitchell being Roy but when he wore that shirt with the definition of rookie of the year prove to me he should be in his sophomore year in college…. I’m going Simmons
Good points there but Utah finishing 4th in the west is as amazing as Philly 3rd in the east.
Also I think Simmons is not really a rookie. In this case I am, as a lawyer might say, ignoring the judge’s instructions.
Also to be honest I voted Mitchell ROY back in the summer and I’m sticking with it!
How is he not a rookie? I still don’t get how anybody can say that he didn’t even play a single game out of the 82 last year and he’s younger than some of the rookies this year? So he had a whole year to watch film and do minimal basketball activity? In baseball you can even play a bunch of games and be counted as a rookie the next season please stop with all this garbage. He is a rookie by definition in any sport he hasn’t played at all. Nobody would question it if it were any other sport. This is insane that everyone keeps saying that. Mitchell is a good scorer Simmons is a game changer. If you take away Mitchell’s shot he has nothing, not good on defense not a playmaker not a rebounder. Simmons doesn’t have a good shot and has all those things his basketball iq is off the charts for a young player. He affects the game in so many ways. Once again this isn’t taking anything away from Mitchell because he’s a good player and has outplayed expectation but if you think he is better or more deserving than Simmons you need to find another sport to watch because you don’t have a clue. There is a reason people compare him to Lebron who is an mvp candidate every single year and the only reason he doesn’t win it every year is because it’s expected that he plays the caliber he does.