The NBA has named the Philadelphia 76ers as the rookie of the year, Ben Simmons, at the NBA Awards in Santa Monica, California. Simmons beat Utah Jazz goaltender Donovan Mitchell and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum for the honor.
Simmons averaged 15.8 points, 8.2 assists, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals while guiding the 76ers alongside Joel Embiid in third place in the Eastern Conference and their first participation in the series since 2012 after years of futility. Simmons was drafted in 2016 from LSU, but did not play the 2016-17 season while he was recovering from a broken foot.
Simmons wins rookie of the year with a transcendent season
Simmons struggled with his jump shot and tried only 11 field goals of 3 points during the season, missing them all but still managed to shoot 54.5 percent of the field as a constant threat to attack the basket. The athlete, 6-10 guard is considered one of the best young players in the league redefining his position and the way basketball is played in the modern NBA.
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NBA player Ben Simmons
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 9: Ben Simmons # 25 of the Philadelphia 76ers takes a shot on Marcus Morris # 13 of the Boston Celtics in the fifth game of the Eastern Conference Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 9, 2018 Boston , Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 9: Ben Simmons # 25 of the Philadelphia 76ers speaks to the media after the game against the Boston Celtics in the fifth half of the semifinals of the Eastern Conference of the NBA 2018 qualifiers on May 9, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO THE USER: The user acknowledges and expressly agrees that by downloading and using this photo, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Compulsory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau / NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 9: Ben Simmons # 25 of the Philadelphia 76ers wields the ball against the Boston Celtics in the fifth game of the semifinals of the NBA 2018 Eastern Conference qualifiers on May 9, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO THE USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and using this photo, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE via Getty Images)
Philadelphia, PA – May 7: TJ McConnell # 12 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks with Ben Simmons # 25 and Joel Embiid # 21 in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in the fourth round of the NBA 2018 playoffs at Wells Fargo Center May 7, 2018 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Celtics 103-92. NOTE TO THE USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and using this photo, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)
Philadelphia, PA – MAY 07: Philadelphia 76ers goaltender Ben Simmons (25) watches during the warm-ups before the East Conference semifinal match between Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers on May 07, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – May 7: Ben Simmons # 25 of the Philadelphia 76ers heats up before the fourth game of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics in the 2018 NBA playoffs on May 7, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO THE USER: The user acknowledges and expressly agrees that by downloading and / or using this photo, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Compulsory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau / NBAE via Getty Images)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – May 5: Ben Simmons # 25 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics in the third game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, PA NOTE: User recognizes expressly and agrees that by downloading and / or using this photograph, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Copyright Notice Required: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow / NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 3: Ben Simmons # 25 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks with the media after the second game of the second round of the 2018 NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics on May 3, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO THE USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and using this photo, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Compulsory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau / NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 3: Ben Simmons # 25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter of the second game of the Eastern Conference Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 3, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 30: Ben Simmons # 25 of the Philadelphia 76ers defends Shane Larkin No. 8 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of the first part of the second round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 30, 2018 at Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics beat the 76ers 117-101. (Photo by Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 28: Ben Simmons # 25 of the Philadelphia 76ers wields the ball against the Boston Celtics in the opening game of the NBA 2018 East Conference Qualifiers on April 30, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts . NOTE TO THE USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and using this photo, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE via Getty Images)
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Simmons defeated Mitchell, who led the Jazz with 20.5 points per game averaging 3.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals. The 13th pick in the Louisville draft was a revelation, helping to lead the top five seeds of the Western Conference, which was unexpected after the team lost star striker Gordon Hayward to the Celtics in free agency.
Mitchell was not an effective striker, shooting 43.7 percent of the field in the regular season, but his impact on the court was further accentuated in the playoffs when he led the Jazz to a first round reversal Oklahoma City Thunder while improving its average score to 24.4 points per game in the playoffs.
Mitchell carries the Rookie of the Year beef at the NBA awards
Simmons and Mitchell embarked on a social media campaign towards the end of the season, Mitchell claiming that Simmons was not really eligible for the award since he was recruited as a rookie in 2016. Simmons retorted by calling Mitchell a legitimate candidate.
Mitchell kept the trope on Monday, arriving at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles in a van decorated with "Rookie?"
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The NBA playoffs: the best pictures of the second day
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OAKLAND, CA – MAY 01: Stephen Curry # 30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a three-point basket against the New Orleans pelicans in the second game of the Western Conference semifinals in the NBA playoffs 2018 at ORACLE Arena on May 1, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO THE USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and using this photo, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MAY 01: Cleveland Cavaliers' # 23 LeBron James hits the ball while # 15 Jonas Valanciunas of the Toronto Raptors defend the second half of the Eastern Conference semifinals in the 2018 NBA playoffs at the Air Canada Center. May 1, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO THE USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and using this photo, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 30: Terry Rozier # 12 of the Boston Celtics takes a shot at Joel Embiid # 21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first game of the 2018 NBA series at TD Garden on April 30, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics beat the 76ers 117-101. (Photo by Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 30: Terry Rozier, No. 12 of the Boston Celtics, celebrates after taking a three-pointer shot against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first quarter of the first round of the 2018 NBA series at TD Garden on April 30 2018 Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MAY 3 – Toronto Raptors goaltender DeMar DeRozan (10th) played the Toronto Raptors in the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the NBA playoffs at the Air Canada Center in Toronto. May 3, 2018. (Steve Russell / Toronto Star via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 3: Jayson Tatum # 0 of the Boston Celtics goes to the Philadelphia 76ers basket in the second game of the semifinals of the NBA 2018 Eastern Conference qualifiers on May 3, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston. Massachusetts. NOTE TO THE USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and using this photo, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MAY 06: Donovan Mitchell # 45 from Utah Jazz goes to the basket under James Harden's # 13 Houston Rockets defense in second half in the fourth game of the 2018 NBA playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rockets beat the Jazz 100-87. NOTE TO THE USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and using this photo, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 05: LeBron James # 23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers hits the winning shot on OG Anunoby # 3's Toronto Raptors outstretched hand to win the third game of the East Conference 105-103 semifinals 2018 NBA playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO THE USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and using this photo, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 7: Joel Embiid # 21 Philadelphia 76ers enters an altercation with Terry Rozier # 12 Boston Celtics like Jayson Tatum # 0 and Marcus Morris # 13 Boston Celtics and Ben Simmons # 25 Philadelphia The 76ers are trying to break them during the second quarter of the second round of the NBA 2018 playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on May 7, 2018, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO THE USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and using this photo, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 05: LeBron James # 23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates his winning shot with Kevin Love # 0 next to Serge Ibaka # 9 of the Toronto Raptors in the third game of the Eastern Conference semifinals in the playoffs of the 2018 NBA at Quicken Arena Loans on May 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO THE USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and using this photo, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
May 7, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers goaltender Ben Simmons (25) and Boston Celtics goaltender Marcus Smart (36) will play in the second quarter of the second round of the NBA 2018 playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY HUI Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
May 5, 2018; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is on the scorers' table after reaching the final shot to win the game against the Toronto Raptors in Game 3 of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credits: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY HUI Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
OAKLAND, CA – MAY 08: Anthony Davis # 23 pelicans in New Orleans is preparing for a dunk on Quinn Cook # 4, Kevon Looney # 5 and Kevin Durant # 35 Golden State Warriors in Game 5 semi-finals of the 2018 NBA Playoff West Conference at ORACLE Arena on May 8, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO THE USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and using this photo, the user agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 9: Terry Rozier # 12 of the Boston Celtics takes a shot at TJ McConnell # 12 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fifth game of the East Conference Round of the 2018 NBA playoffs at TD Garden on May 9, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics beat the 76ers 114-112 to qualify for the Eastern Conference finals. (Photo by Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
May 9, 2018; Boston, MA, United States; Boston Celtics goaltender Jaylen Brown (7) reacted after scoring against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half of Game 5 of the second round of the 2018 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY HUI Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
May 8, 2018; Oakland, California, United States; New Orleans Pelicans goaltender Jrue Holiday (11) passes the ball against Golden State Warriors forward David West (3) and goaltender Shaun Livingston (34) in the first quarter of the second round of playoffs NBA 2018 at the Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credits: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY HUI Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
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Tatum, Duke's third pick, was also a finalist after averaging 13.9 points, five rebounds, 1.6 assists and one steal while shooting 43.4 percent on a three-point gap. He emerged as a leader in a Celtics team that finished second with the best conference in the East and was a win away from the NBA Finals despite the loss of veterans Hayward and Kyrie Irving to season-end injuries .
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