NBA postseason awards don’t go down until June 25, but Ben Simmons is already submitting his pick for 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year: himself.
He argues that his numbers tell the whole story in this year’s two-man race, which also includes Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell.
Simmons has 12 triple-doubles this season (and counting), which is second in NBA history and this year, he is averaging 6.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game. Not only that but the Philadelphia 76ers are on a 14-game winning streak, playing some of the best basketball since All-Star break and currently hold the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. And this is partially without Joel Embiid, who is still out with a face fracture.
When asked about the comparisons, Ben says he doesn’t listen to them because everyone is his own player, at the end of the day.
Of course, Mitchell isn’t staying quiet when it comes to Simmons’ pick.