This time last year there was an extremely close debate for who should be awarded with Rookie of the Year – Ben Simmons or Donovan Mitchell.
This season, there is another tough decision to be made between two budding stars in Luka Doncic and Trae Young.
We all remember how last year went – Simmons was selected as Rookie of the Year, and the voting wasn't as close as many thought it would be. He received 90 first place votes to Mitchell's 11 first place votes and finished with 481 total voting points to Mitchell's 323.
Will it be the same story this season? Only time will tell. But for now, Simmons casts his own vote on whom he would choose to be this season's ROY.
#Sixers PG Ben Simmons said he would vote for #Mavs G Luka Doncic for NBA rookie before explaining why: pic.twitter.com/HShEKi1bt6
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) April 1, 2019
Without hesitation, the reigning Rookie of the Year went with Luka.
When asked why, he stated, "same reason as last year. He's playing better. His team is winning more games."
The Dallas Mavericks (30-46) do have a slightly better record than the Atlanta Hawks (28-49), so that reason checks out.
He didn't discount the season that Young is having, though.
"Trae Young is killing it; same as Donovan (Mitchell). But overall I just think that Luka has his team playing a little better and he's just doing a little bit more."
Doncic seemed like the easy choice when he got out to a hot start in his first season in the league, but Young has closed the gap quickly.
Granted, Doncic has dealt with injuries that have him in and out of the lineup, but Young's play since the All-Star break has been stellar.
Nevertheless, some high praise for Luka from the 2018 ROY ahead of their matchup tonight.
You can catch the 76ers and Mavericks going at it on NBA League Pass at 8:30 p.m. ET.