The War for NBA Rookie of the Year is still on!

Rookie of the Year has been one of the most intense debates of the 2017-18 NBA season. Both Philadelphia 76ers point guard, Ben Simmons and Utah Jazz shooting guard, Donovan Mitchell are the front-runners for the award. But the pettiness over who is more deserving has already begun.

While entering a regular season game, Utah Jazz rookie, Donovan Mitchell, wore an adidas hoodie with the word ‘rookie’ and its definition printed on the front. And then, days later he was seen once again wearing another Adidas hoodie with only the word ‘rookie?’ printed on the front.

Here’s the backstory to Mitchells obviously shady blow at Ben Simmons qualification for Rookie of the Year. Simmons was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2016 NBA draft, he’s not a true rookie. But he technically remains a ‘rookie’ this season after sitting out the entire 2016 season with a foot injury. While Mitchell was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NBA draft and is in his true rookie season. 

So, technicalities aside, who is the most deserving of Rookie of the Year?

Donovan Mitchell is considered one of the best rookies the NBA has seen in years. He’s made the most three-pointers (187) as a rookie in NBA history. He’s averaging 20.5 points per game and essentially carried the team to the playoffs. He’s aggressive and fearless on and obviously off the court too.

Then there’s Ben Simmons who’s already considered one of the best players in the NBA. He’s averaging only 15.8 points per game, 8.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds. He follows in the footsteps of both LeBron James and Russell Westbrook as the only players in the league to average 15-8-8. His quickness has allowed him to guard all five positions on the floor. As a rookie, Simmons was dangerously close to recording a triple-double in Game 1 of the playoffs last week. Mitchell might be the better lockdown defender, but Simmons is the superior all-around defender. Simmons has versatility on both ends of the court. Making him more valuable overall.

The war between both front-runners will be decided on June 25th. But the drama leading up to the decision is already worth the wait.