True Rookie or Redshirt Rookie?
One of the closest rookie of the year competitions in years
There have been plenty of close races in the history of sports, but I don’t know there has been a race closer than the 2018 NBA Rookie of the year competition. Without question, the top two candidates for the heralded newcomer award are the Utah Jazz’s combo guard Donovan Mitchell, and Philadelphia 76’ers guard/forward Ben Simmons. Each of the rookies has been leaders on their squads, helping each of their teams make it to the playoffs.
Simmons who was the №1 pick in the 2016 NBA draft missed his entire 1st season when he came down with a severe ankle injury. With Simmons missing his first season, it’s raised some eyebrows as if he should be in consideration for the award. Despite Simmon’s year off, he’s been having a monster season for the Sixers. The Australian native has finished the regular season with 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists, while shooting 54.5% from the field, making an impact at all times on the floor.
The Western Conferences rookie candidate was a player whose name most people didn’t even know until midseason. The Louisville Cardinal has been the driving force behind the Jazz’s success this season by putting up 20.5 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.7 rebounds. Mitchell recently broke the record for most three-pointers by a rookie and secured the 5 spot for the Jazz in the Western playoff bracket.
Both of the rookies have played major roles for their squads but each in a different way. Mitchell has led all rookies in scoring as he finished the season with 20.5 points per game. In a rookie class were a lot of the first year performers have had play major minutes, Mitchell posted 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists post All-star break helping bring the Jazz into playoff contention, bringing intensity to both sides of the floor Mitchell has been playing solid defense as well.
Over on the east coast the Philadelphia 76’ers point forward Ben Simmons has helped lead his team to the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Simmons impacts all areas of the floor and not just scoring. Despite not hitting one three-pointer during the regular season, Simmons covered those numbers with assists, rebounds, and steals. A few weeks earlier, Simmons joined Basketball Royalty as became only the second rookie in NBA history since Oscar Robertson to record 1,200 points, 600 assists, and 600 rebounds as a rookie.
Even though the two standout rookies have two different play styles, their efficiency on the court are similar and they produce what they need to for their teams. Mitchell who is also a great three-point shooter broke the NBA rookie record for 3-pointers made, which only contributed to his +/- which was a 4.5. Simmons didn’t make a three-point field goal during the regular season and his +/- -was slightly higher than Mitchells at 4.8.
Each of the rookie standouts has proved to be this year’s candidates for rookie of the year, Simmons with his all-around game, and Mitchell with his relentless scoring ability. Mitchell’s task at hand has been just a tad harder because of the conference he’s in. With teams comprised of All-stars and super teams, he’s still managed to be the number one scoring option on his team which he has taken advantage of. Simmons is still in the same conference as the best player of this era and debatable of all time, but the competition level is not quite the same.
The best part about the Rookie race is that both rookies have done a little trash talking about who should win the first year award. Mitchell was spotted wearing their “rookie” hoodies mocking Simmons rookie qualifications because he had an entire year in the NBA atmosphere before Mitchell stepped into the league. Simmons later told reporters, “If his argument is I’m not a rookie if that’s the only argument he has, I’m in pretty good shape then.
It will be very interesting to see who wins this award and how these two will play for their squads in the playoffs. The two superstars have already proved they can carry their teams as rookies, so it will be very exciting to see how these to develop over time in the NBA.
Tucker Toole is a sophomore at Morehouse College and writes for the Maroon Tiger newspaper.
