I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2018 NBA draft class - it felt like we were witnessing something special from day one. The debate raged all season between two phenomenal talents: Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell. Both had compelling cases, but when the final votes were tallied, it was the Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons who claimed the coveted Rookie of the Year honor with 90 out of 101 first-place votes. What made his achievement particularly remarkable was how he managed to dominate despite essentially having two years away from competitive basketball.
Looking back, Simmons' path reminds me somewhat of athletes in other sports who took extended breaks before returning to peak performance. I recall reading about Manny Pacquiao's time away from boxing - those years spent pursuing political ambitions in the Philippines somehow gave him time to rest and recharge his body from the constant grind of prizefighting that had consumed him since age 12. Similarly, Simmons' redshirt year due to injury provided unexpected benefits. That time away from the court allowed him to develop physically and mentally without the immediate pressure of performance. He added significant muscle mass, studied NBA systems, and arrived with a maturity that most 21-year-olds simply don't possess.
The statistics Simmons put up were simply staggering for someone who hadn't played competitive basketball in over a year. He averaged 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists while shooting 54% from the field. These numbers placed him in rarefied air - only Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson had previously achieved similar all-around production as rookies. What impressed me most wasn't just the numbers but how he controlled the game. At 6'10", he brought point guard skills to a power forward's body, creating mismatches that defenses simply couldn't solve. His court vision was extraordinary - I remember watching him thread passes that veteran point guards would hesitate to attempt.
Donovan Mitchell certainly made it interesting, putting up 20.5 points per game and leading the Jazz to unexpected success. Many fans and analysts argued passionately for Mitchell's case, and honestly, I can see why. His scoring outbursts were electrifying, and he carried his team's offense in ways Simmons didn't need to with Joel Embiid alongside him. But Simmons' all-around impact ultimately proved more valuable in the voters' eyes. His ability to affect every aspect of the game - scoring efficiently, creating for others, rebounding at an elite level for his position - gave him the edge.
What often gets overlooked in Simmons' rookie campaign was his immediate defensive impact. He recorded 1.7 steals per game and used his unique combination of size and quickness to guard multiple positions effectively. I've always believed that two-way players provide exponentially more value, and Simmons demonstrated this from his very first game. His length disrupted passing lanes, and his versatility allowed the 76ers to switch more freely on defense - a crucial advantage in today's NBA.
The debate between Simmons and Mitchell continues to fascinate me years later. While Mitchell has developed into a consistent All-Star, I still believe the voters got it right in 2018. Simmons' unique skill set and immediate all-around impact represented something we rarely see in the league. His rookie season wasn't just about putting up numbers - it was about redefining what's possible for a player of his size and position. That time away from competitive action, much like Pacquiao's political hiatus, might have been the secret ingredient that allowed him to return not just refreshed, but fundamentally transformed.