A strong case can be made for either Luka Doncic or Trae Young to be named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year after the season, but the most recent recipient of the award does not feel the competition is all that close.
Ben Simmons, who was named Rookie of the Year last year despite it being his second NBA season, was asked on Monday if his vote would go to Doncic or Young. He supported the Dallas Mavericks star without hesitation.
.@BenSimmons25 says @luka7doncic is the rookie of the year. @PompeyOnSixers with the follow up question of why watch the full clip below! #Lukadoncic #BenSimmons #MFFL pic.twitter.com/lRAixKdXJe
— Landon Buford (@LandonBuford) April 1, 2019
“What do you mean ‘why?’ The same reason as last year,” Simmons said. “He’s playing better. His team’s winning more games. Trae Young is killing it, same as (Donovan Mitchell last year). Overall I think Luka has just gotten his team to play a little better.”
Both Doncic and Young have put up impressive stats in their first NBA seasons. Doncic is averaging 21.1 points, 5.9 assists and 7.6 rebounds while Young has averaged 18.9 points, 8.0 assists and 3.6 rebounds. Simmons’ rationale that Doncic’s team is winning more games seems like a stretch, however, as the Mavericks have 30 wins and the Atlanta Hawks have 28. Neither team is playoff-bound.
As you could probably tell from his response, Rookie of the Year discussions are a source of tension for Simmons. He and Mitchell lobbed some shots at each other before the award was handed out last year, and that feud is probably still fresh in the Philadelphia 76ers star’s mind.
