2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 23 power rankings

1. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers

Last rank: 1st (↔)

Philadelphia 76ers rookie Ben Simmons has had a quiet month, from a scoring standpoint at least. Outside of scoring, he’s put up two triple-doubles and three double-doubles through nine games in March.

Simmons is averaging 14.0 points, 10.1 assists, 8.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game this month, as if he couldn’t do more already. He recorded triple-doubles in back-to-back games last Tuesday and Thursday night against the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks. The Sixers fell 101-98 to the Pacers but beat the Knicks, 118-110.

Simmons nearly had a triple-double on Friday night against the Brooklyn Nets, falling just two rebounds short in the end. He finished the game with 21 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds in a 120-116 victory. The win put Philadelphia’s record at 4-7 in back-to-back games this season.

One cause for concern is Simmons’ free throw shooting. He’s shooting 58.3 percent in the month and 56.9 percent for the season.

Next: 2017-18 Week 22 NBA Power Rankings

Teams could take advantage of fouling him late in games, but last time that happened, he went 15-for-29 and Philadelphia won 118-113 in the end.