The Donovan Mitchell vs. Ben Simmons Rookie of The Year debate

Agree with everything. It’s crazy to me that people now will yell about Simmons not being a rookie just because they hopped on the Mitchell bandwagon and act like there isn’t an official rule saying he is in fact a rookie, but I guess that’s just where we’re at now in 2018.

Like you mentioned, a big thing I see from Mitchell supporters is that he led them to the playoffs in the Western conference while being their #1 option after they lost Gordon Hayward, and that Simmons leading Philly to 50+ wins isn’t impressive because he has Embiid. There are at least a few obviously wrong things about all this:

1. Being a number 1 option =/= being the best player. Yes he scores, but he’s not really exceptional at anything else. Also, people like to bring up that he can shoot 3s unlike Simmons (“lmao Simmons can’t even shoot and he’s a PG no way he’s ROY” is a real argument from some people) which makes him a better player. Yet even with the 3s and shooting 5 times more per game, that’s only good for 4 more points than Simmons. You’d think Mitchell doubled up Simmons on points from the way people talk
2. Mitchell’s undoubtedly been great, but the Jazz have been 30-8 since Gobert came back, which would put them at a stellar 18-26 before he returned. Yet a lot of people give him no credit and Mitchell all the credit. Meanwhile, Philly is on a 16 game win streak, and about half have come without Embiid
3. Philly has a winning record against the top teams in the West, yet somehow that’s not enough to overcome that “East is trash” complaint

I feel like I’ve said this a million times, but he’s a rookie no matter how many times you tweet “Ben Simmons is NOT a rookie!!” You’re basically a 5 year old covering your ears and yelling when someone tells you something you don’t want to hear when you say that. Simmons by the rules is a rookie whether you like it or not so you might as well get over it. I feel like I’ve said this a million times, but it’s so hypocritical how people had no problem with Embiid winning last year, all because Malcolm Brogdon wasn’t as exciting or had as big of a bandwagon as Mitchell does this year. I hope they don’t let these people crying let them influence whether or not they change the rule, because that could set a bad precedent

 It’s not even a debate. Mitchell has exceeded expectations but if you aren’t picking Simmons you are either biased or a poor judge. When you stoop to crying hes not a rookie, it’s clear that in your mind he’s in front. It wouldn’t be a thing otherwise. 

Now, enough of this shit. Playoff time. 

They only way Mitchell is awarded ROY for his great year is if Adam Silver proclaims Ben to be ineligible to win it. 

I work at ESPN. I believe Ben Simmons is not a true rookie. I would vote for Donovan Mitchell. I will not be able to provide any stats.

 Its ashame because Mitchell would have won ROY the past five years, except for maybe two years ago with KAT.

 Nike vs. Adidas. Nike wins this round.

 I am about to go with an MV3.

Haven’t tabuluated all my numbers yet.  

My MVP Power Poll finale is gonna have THE GUY, maybe a TIE for being THE GUY.  Then a top 5 which is my ALL MVP TEAM or something. Then the 6th MVP Award which will be a TIE between TWO GUYS.  KD’s final number doesn’t look so hot.  He missed some games down the stretch and the Warriors struggled a bit to wrap things up.  I don’t even think KD makes the top 5.  

IRONICALLY, if you had to go with the BEST player in the NBA this year, you probably go with Harden. The GREATEST NBA player for the 2017-2018 season? Probably LeBron James.

BUT, the MOST VALUABLE Player? Yeah, with that strict technical definition I would go with Ben Simmons.  

Ok, if he doesn’t tie either Harden or LeBron then I am won’t give the award to Ben Simmons.

INSTEAD I will create a MFVP Award aka the Ben Simmons Award.  

With the first winner of the MFVP Award aka the Ben Simmons Award being…

Drum roll please…

To be continued…

 Western Conference is SOOOO much tougher than the East garbage. 

On Friday, Collin Cowherd on his show claimed this is the Best Western Conference in his Lifetime – dude is in the 50’s! 

A few years ago this was True – there were 4 or 5 teams in the West loaded w/ Stars who Def could have Challenegd Cleveland for #1 in the East If they were in the East 

This year the East had TWO 50 win Teams – Houston & Golden State & until Houston does something in the playoffs we Should Doubt them – if we flip flopped Cleveland & Golden State the Cavs featuring Lebron would absolutely Destroy Every team in the West except Houston

The 3 thru 10 seeds in the West were separated by a handful of games. I’m Not saying the East is Far better than the West but I am saying that w/ the emergence of Toronto, Phila & Boston that it’s closer than it’s been in a Long time

I wouldn’t be disappointed if both players won ROY, but I think Simmons should be the clear winner. Personal numbers tell one story, but looking at what Simmons has done to help his team; being a primary facilitator and distributor on offense is very noteworthy.

Sure as a former 1st overall pick, Simmons should be a candidate for the ROY, while Mitchell being in the running is a little more surprising. Both are very talented and should have great careers in the NBA. If Simmons was to "regress" and turn into a Tyreke Evans type of player, that wouldn’t be too shocking but for now after one season, he’s looked very good.

To think, if Ben Simmons played even 1 minute of 1 game the previous season; he wouldn’t be considered a rookie and this Simmons/Mitchell debate wouldn’t be a topic of discussion. I think being a rookie in the NBA is tougher than just about any other professional sports league. You get at least 25 games over a couple of seasons to maintain your rookie eligibility in the NHL and I believe it’s up 50 games as a positional player in MLB. Julius Randle got injured during in his first game of his rookie reason, and that was it for his rookie eligibility. Although in the NBA you are eligible for the ROY in your first season regardless of your age, just like Milos Teodosic was this season at age 30, so I guess that balances things out a little bit compared to other pro sports leagues. In the NHL if you are 26 or older in your rookie season, you aren’t eligible for ROY.

Even looking at Markelle Fultz who only played 14 games this season, will not be considered a rookie next season. If he was, I think he could have be in consideration for ROY (if he picks up where he left off at the end of this season) or at least make an All-Rookie-Team.

Anyways, I imagine both Simmons and Mitchell would trade in the ROY award for an NBA Championship.

 So when we look back at Ben Simmons career…will he be a 17 year pro or a 16 year pro because he didn’t play his true rookie year. Simmons should not be considered a rookie.