Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers is the hands-down favorite to win the 2018 Rookie of the Year award, and he’s confident that he deserves it. From ESPN’s Chris Haynes:
“Who would I pick? Me, 100 percent,” Simmons told ESPN at the Ritz-Carlton in downtown Philadelphia on Saturday.
“I think I have been playing solid all year,” he continued. “If you look at the numbers, you will see. People who know the game know.”
When asked which fellow rookies have caught Simmons’ attention, he wasn’t blunt:
None,” Simmons responded promptly. “I want to be where the greats are. So, for me, I watch the guys like [Kevin Durant], [LeBron James], [Stephen] Curry, Russell [Westbrook]. Guys like that. That’s where I want to be. I think for me, that’s what I love to watch.”
While Simmons is the odds-on favorite to win the award, it would be inaccurate to say he doesn’t have any competition for it. Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell has been outstanding as well; he’s the first rookie to lead a playoff team in scoring since Carmelo Anthony in 2004.
Mitchell tweeted out what appeared to be a response to Simmons’ comment:
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) April 9, 2018
The NBA postseason award-winners will be revealed on June 25.
Simmons is enjoying one of the best rookie seasons ever, averaging 16 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 54.7 percent from the field.
Mitchell has been perhaps not equally impressive, but pretty close, averaging 20.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game on 43.8 percent shooting.
