Memphis Grizzlies: 2017-18 team awards
By Tony East
Rookie of the Year: Dillon Brooks
This one is also incredibly easy, though not quite as simple as the Sixth Man decision.
There are seven eligible candidates for the award: Ivan Rabb, Dillon Brooks, Omari Johnson, Myke Henry, Vince Hunter, Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Kobi Simmons. Johnson, Henry, Rathan-Mayes, and Hunter didn’t do much of anything during their time in Memphis, but we can take a look at the other three guys a bit more.
More from Memphis Grizzlies
- NBA Trades: Memphis bolsters their roster in this deal with Toronto
- 3 ways acquiring Marcus Smart will improve the Memphis Grizzlies
- Ranking the 10 championship-less NBA teams by closeness to title
- 4 Memphis Grizzlies who must step up in Ja Morant’s absence
- NBA Rumors: Is a season-long suspension for Ja Morant on the table?
Kobi Simmons was an undrafted two-way player, but he finagled his way into 12 starts and 643 minutes of playing time. He didn’t show a ton, shooting just 42.3 percent and playing some meh defense. But he did have an impact on the Grizzlies season and he did impressively make all 25 of his free throw attempts. Simmons doesn’t get the award, but he did show that maybe one day he could be useful for this Grizz team.
That leaves Rabb and Brooks, the team’s two second round picks, as they two candidates for the award. For all the great flashes of skills Rabb showed this season, he falls far short of the impact Brooks made.
The Canadian rookie started 74 games on the wing and was one of just 26 guys in the league to play in all 82 games. He dropped in 11 points per game on 44 percent shooting and revealed that he can play some all right defense. For his efforts, he was awarded a spot in the Rising Stars Challenge.
He wasn’t a sexy pick in the draft last year, but Brooks can play, and the Grizz are happy to have him.