Isaac
Years ago

Ben Simmons named NBA Rookie of the Year

Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons has been named the Rookie of the Year.

Simmons beat out Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics for the honor, which was revealed at the NBA Awards show.

Simmons was drafted ahead of the 2016-17 season, but because he missed all of that season due to injury he is considered a rookie this year.

That has been a point of contention with Mitchell, who was drafted ahead of the 2017-18 season.

Mitchell arrived at the awards in a black van with "ROOKIE?" in giant letters on the side.

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Hogwash
Years ago

No rules broken.
Simmons could've been drafted in 2017 and still would've beaten Mitchell with the year he had.

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Zodiac
Years ago

This rule isn't new no one questioned the legitimacy of Blake Griffin winning ROTY after missing all of his first season due to injury. Mitchell is just sore and his bad sportsmanship says a fair bit about him

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Curtley
Years ago

Mitchell comes across as a baby. Simmons' year was one of the best ever by a rookie. Self promotion is seriously such an unlikable trait but American sports is filled with it to insane levels.

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rjd
Years ago

I wouldn't necessarily blame Mitchell for the "rookie?" nonsense. It is Adidas trying to get attention. Mitchell appears complicit in going along with it, though, but does he really have any choice?

In the interviews I have seen of Mitchell, he has been very grounded and modest, quite different to the image that Adidas seems to be trying to push.

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Luuuc
Years ago

It's all in fun IMO.
The emphasis on questioning Ben's rookie status though is basically an admission that which player had the better season is not worth arguing.

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Anonymous
Years ago

"Mitchell is just sore and his bad sportsmanship says a fair bit about him"

"Mitchell comes across as a baby."

Seriously? Its just a bit of banter between the two. Good on them for spicing up an award which is usually a one-horse race.

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Bear
Years ago

No surprises here, move on...

Congratulations to Ben, looking forward to the seasons ahead. I just hope that people don't see him as our MJ, that would make him..........BS :)

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?
Years ago

what was Simmons junior club in Melb ? Any others from his junior teams playing professionally anywhere ?

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Anonymous
Years ago

Would put a boatload of money on Mitchell being less of an egomaniac than Simmons. But Simmons clearly deserving of the award under the rules and good for Aussie basketball to see him playing at such a high level.

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Anonymous
Years ago

Ben Simmons posted record breaking stats and put himself in categories with some NBA greats.

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Isaac
Years ago

Agree that Mitchell is probably doing it for a bit of fun.

Great that Simmons won it and against some really serious opposition. To average x/8/8 even in your prime is outstanding, let alone in your debut season.

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Anonymous
Years ago

Simmons if memory serves me correct was:

Melbourne
Dandenong
Keilor
Bulleen
Knox

In his time in Melbourne.

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Manu Fieldel
Years ago

Mitchell looks like a completely chill, humble dude. As humble as you can be in his position

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Manu Fieldel
Years ago

I noted plenty of times last season how well he carries himself. He's one of those special people who you quickly respect

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Anonymous
Years ago

Well done to young Simmo. Well deserved.

The idea of him not being a "true rookie" is absurd, as many have noted above.

Even Larry Bird was a full year removed from being drafted before he started his ROY winning season. Though a different situation, the end result was it was his first season PLAYING NBA, and thats what defines a rookie.

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12345
Years ago

Ben played for Bulleen (u12), Keilor (u14/u16), Knox (u16-u18). Ben was on the same team as Dante as a bottom aged u16 player and his Knox team was really good - but none of them eventually made it to the pros. Great job by the young fella though, only onwards and upwards for him!

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Anonymous
Years ago

Why'd he change so many junior clubs?

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Anonymous
Years ago

Definitely had a year at Dandenong in 12s

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Anonymous
Years ago

He kept changing clubs because coaches kept trying to pigeon hole him as a centre, I guess his dad proved he was right to move him so much

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