NBA Awards Watch: Frontrunners for MVP, ROY and more through November
Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
Averaging 18.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 2.3 steals per game, Ben Simmons is leading this year’s rookie class in all four categories. He’s also tied for fourth in blocks with 0.8 per game, while shooting 50.7 percent from the floor (despite his complete lack of a perimeter jumper).
Yeah, the Rookie of the Year “race” isn’t even close.
Kyle Kuzma is turning heads for the Los Angeles Lakers, Jayson Tatum has a starting role on a legitimate title contender and Lauri Markkanen is putting up big numbers down in the Windy City. Donovan Mitchell has also come on strong lately, snagging a starting job on a playoff team.
But Simmons has been head, shoulders, torso and lower extremities above his competition through the first month. Aside from racking up two triple-doubles in 20 games, he’s damn near averaging a triple-double as a rookie!
Unlike most of his competition, Simmons is also a driving force behind his team’s success. He’s playing at an All-Star level and doubles as a stout defender on the other end. Some might even argue he’s been as important to the Philadelphia 76ers‘ 12-9 start as Joel Embiid.
We won’t go that far just yet, but the Rookie of the Year race only has one horse in it right now.
Honorable Mentions:
- Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls
- Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
- Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks