First off, I am assuming Ben Simmons easily wins the 2018 rookie of the year in the NBA.
Assume for the sake of this piece that Simmons already has captured the coveted award.
Simmons tied all-time great Magic Johnson Tuesday with his seventh triple-double of the season, sparking the question: where does Ben Simmons truly rank among the NBA’s past rookie of the year winners?
As of this writing, Simmons averages 16.2 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game and 7.6 assists per game, but the numbers do not tell the whole story. The Philidelphia 76ers have been a different team this season with the Australian 21-year-old running the offence.
For the first time in what feels like ages, their record is quite respectable at 36-30 and are poised to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-2012 season.
The LSU product possesses an almost never-before-seen game. Coach Brett Brown has employed Simmons as the point guard of a team that ranks 10th in points per game, 11th in field goal percentage, and first in rebounds per game.
In addition to the offence, the Sixers stand at fifth in the league in defensive rating.
Even more impressive is Simmons’ efficiency. The rookie has attempted just ten threes this season, all of which have been half-court heaves or meaningless shots. Almost literally, every single one of Simmons’ shot attempts are in the paint (or right next to it).
While Simmons cannot shoot three-pointers or free throws to save his life, the Australian point-forward has made up for it in a bevvy of ways.
Despite his very consistent approach, the lefty is shooting 53.6% from the field. When he is not scoring, he is finding the open man, and when he’s not finding the open man he’s boxing out and running in transition with the NBA’s second-best centre, Joel Embiid.
From 2000 on, no NBA rookie of the year has finished with a shooting percentage above 53% aside from Karl-Anthony Towns two years ago. In addition to this, no other ROY (not even LeBron James), has averaged at least 16 ppg, 7 rpg, AND 7 apg like Simmons.
The most important part of this is how good the 76ers are. Barring some miracle, the Sixers will comfortably enter the playoffs. Incredibly, only two rookie of the year winners (Amar’e Stoudamire 2002-2003 and Derrick Rose 2008-2009) have played in the playoffs during their first season.
Simmons is no LeBron James or Kevin Durant, but one could make the argument that he is doing more for his team than they did in their first season.
Before you get angry at me, I must acknowledge that of course, Simmons has a better team around him than the aforementioned superstars.
However, he has played as well as people could have hoped – and has quite literally made every single player on his team better throughout the season.
In addition, and unlike most rookies who thrive offensively, Simmons can also defend. Coach Brown has stated that his positionless powerhouse first-pick can be an ‘elite multi-purpose defensive player’.
For you advanced stat nuts out there, Simmons ranks 11th in defensive wins shared and averages 1.7 steals per game thanks to his nose for the ball and incredible length.
If you look down the list of rookie of the year winners since the 2001-2002 season there are some absolute superstars, but expect Simmons to be a top-10 player in the NBA for years and years to come.
The Australian-born LSU Tiger turned 76er is easily one of the best rookies in recent memory, and probably will be one of the greatest ROYs for many seasons.
express34texas
Guest
Who knows what the future will bring, but Embiid is clearly their best player. He started the AS game, while Simmons could've even make it as an injury replacement in the weaker East. And Embiid barely last year, while he's also improved a bunch since last year, too. Obviously, the 76ers need everyone they have to make a run. Simmons looks like a potential future superstar, but not currently. He has a high FG pct., which is great for a rookie especially since he can't shoot, though knows his limitations and rarely shoots 3's. However, his FT pct. is awful, so it's more than just his jump shot needing big improvement.
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
Fultz has looked decent in the games he has played, it will be interesting to see how they integrate him into that starting lineup
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
I would say at the moment Embiid is their best player, but the addition of Simmons and some veteran pieces has made the difference for the Sixers this year. Simmons will definitely become their best player within the next season of so as he develops. The only part of his game that needs major development is his jump shot as he has been very inconsistent. But so was Lebron in his rookie season.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Fultz has looked prety good the two games he has played and the Philly crowd love him. I wonder if Fultz ends up PG with JJ Riddick at SG and Simmons moving to small forward next year.
express34texas
Guest
Mostly agree about Simmons, though Embiid is their best player, so I wouldn't say Simmons is leading the 76ers. Fultz has barely played, way too early to tell how good he'll be, and he's backing up Simmons at PG, though could eventually play starting SG and/or be dual PGs with Simmons.
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
Simmons has been playing exceptionally well. His playing style looks like and reminds me of a young Lebron James, which means good things for his future. He has led his team to the playoffs for the first time in six years, and I see Philly being a contender in the next couple of years once their young group has some time to gel together and build their skills. Embiid, Simmons, and Fultz could be the next big three, Fultz being the only one I'm worried about developing
Rellum
Roar Guru
ROY is a popularity contest is it not? The NBA is very big on 3 point shooting at the moment so I think that counts big against Simmons. I actually think he won't win it for that reason like I said above but in the long run that could help it..
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
This is quite late, but do you look at advanced defensive metrics / seen his recent games? Also, he has already broken an AI and Magic Johnson record in his rookie season and not to mention, the Sixers also lead the NBA in rebounding. He's will certainly be ROY after this latest run, and based off of what former NBA players have been saying and just watching him play he will certainly be an NBA star. People have been so obsessed with shooting that it seems that a player who is so effective at driving gets pushed under the rug.
The Palace Lads
Roar Rookie
“While Simmons cannot shoot three-pointers or free throws to save his life”. Just about the only thing about Simmons here that’s the truth.
Lara
Guest
The mid range jump shot will come and man that will open up a whole lot of pain for the opposition n space for his teammates. The 3 is not necessary but if he develops that then you are looking at a possible great, but that would be wishful thinking.
Rellum
Roar Guru
There was a video of him casually dropping about 5 threes in a row in practice. You are starting to see a few more jumpers/fade aways from midish range. I have no doubt over the next few seasons that work will come out in the heat of a game, unless he falls of the wagon of course, but it seems like he has the right mindset.
express34texas
Guest
Bill Russell definitely was without a jumper, so was Shaq and most top centers. Simmons is a big guy at 6-10, and already more versatile than most of them ever were. I'm sure his shot will improve a lot, shooting is the easiest thing to work/improve, too.
express34texas
Guest
Actually, most guys who play with James don't do as well, it's mostly a myth that they do, so not really a compliment to say Simmons is being James-like. Bosh, Wade, Love, and Crowder are just a few examples. A lot of players have to take backseats when playing with James or don't further excel overall.
express34texas
Guest
Particular is mostly right, though exaggerating a little bit. Simmons was probably close to making the AS team as one of the injury replacements in the East, though wouldn't have been close to making it in the West. He's looking good so far as a rookie. Will be interesting to see how he does in the playoffs. To say he's one of the biggest stars would be top 10-15 at worst, and he's not close to that, yet anyway. And being non-American doesn't help him either. He'll have an easier time making the AS team in the East in the future, which could help his status then, even if he isn't a top 24 player in the league, though I like what I see from him and if he continues to improve, he should eventually become a star.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Wouldn't be in the top 50 recognized NBA players in the US. Being a non-American hinders his appeal, not enhance it Put it this way, the only way this article exists is because he is Australian. If he wasn't, he would be a good rookie and get the exposure of that status
Machooka
Roar Guru
Thanks Tyler... interesting topical read. And one assured to create much debate ;) There is no doubt we are witnessing the rise of another potential superstar, but sometimes in that enthusiasm to praise the subject becomes divisive for some. For mine, I've rarely heard so much praise given by commentators, ones that I respect, to a rookie player. Ever. I have never seen a rookie, while playing live on US prime TV, had his father given featured archival footage of when he played back in the day... in the Aussie NBL of all places. And I've been watching NBA for some time. There'd be only a handful, if that, of players that LBJ has personally sought out to essentially offer mentoring, support and friendship to. Ben's stats/ numbers are presently ridiculous... and are the envy of seasoned pros around the NBA. To say he has issues with his jump-shot is a joke... he doesn't have a jump-shot. But with good coaching he will develop a reasonable shot in the near future. And the 'LSU product' thingy is a misnomer... I totally agree here with Swampy. So that's our Ben! And whether he gets ROY or not, I don't think it's gonna make a jot of difference to what should be, barring injury et al, a long distinguished career as a baller of exceptional talent. A once in a lifetime type talent.
Tyler Oringer
Roar Guru
I totally understand where you're coming from, but you have to look at how good everyone around Simmons has played. He's only a rookie and playing this well - sure teams will adjust, but he's already shown how good he is at finding the open man and driving to the basket. Also, I wouldn't put it past him to develop some sort of jumper, but that obviously remains to be seen.
astro
Guest
"Clear-cut" is a bit optimistic. Mitchell has been sensational for a rookie. Don't get me wrong, I hope Simmons wins, but I think Mitchell will get a heap of votes, mainly because of Utah's winning-streak at end to the season. Utah are playing some of the best basketball in the league right now, and Mitchell is their top scorer. They just jumped the Spurs to 7th in the West...a pretty amazing feat for a team which started at 19-28. Now, a lot of their recent streak has to do with Gobert coming back, but the narrative around Mitchell and the Jazz is building. If they make the playoffs, he'll pick up a lot of votes. I think it'll be a really close call...a lot will depend on these final couple of weeks.
Aaron Callaghan
Roar Rookie
Simmons without Embiid on the floor is only barely positive, his lack of a credible jump shot will hinder his long term stardom in the NBA unless he develops a jumpshot. I would suggest he is rookie of the year, only just based on his defensive presence. It really will be whoever finishes the last 15 games better.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Simmion's sharing with Embiid would impact on his influence on games, which is a good thing for the 76ers and both those players really. Mitchell gets to be the go to go where Simmons shares that roles with others, which counts against him in ROY voting I would think. Saric and Redick are having good years so that helps when Ben finds them as he does. Simmion's scoring has dropped of a bit lately but his assits and rebounds are up because of that I think. He will have to start dominating on the scoring next year and beyond as his jumper comes along. Hard to fathom a players getting to his position without one. I wonder how much his development pathway played into that.