NBA Rookie of the Year: Mitchell or Simmons

With less than 4 weeks left in the regular the season the NBA rookie of the year race is between two players. Mitchell and Simmons. They are both very talented and honestly you could make a case for either of them winning the award, but remember there can only be one.

Scoring

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

The Rookie of the Year award race may be very close, but this category is definitely not. Mitchell takes this easily, as he is averaging 20 ppg, where as Simmons is only averaging 16.3 ppg.

Mitchell is probably the most dynamic scoring rookie in the NBA right now. He can score in so many ways. There is no way to stop a player the caliber of Mitchell.

Mitchell's 20 ppg doesn't nearly show enough about what he does scoring wise for the Jazz. He make tough shots when needed. He can get a whole team fired up with his plays.

Again, Simmons could be a great scorer in the near future, but he will have to change an improve his jump shot over the summer. Simmons has not taken a 3 pointer all season, except for 4 last second heaves.

Simmons has the potential to one day become a scorer like Lebron, but right now Mitchell is certainly the answer.

Pick: Donovan Mitchell

Passing

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Just like the last category this is not close at all, but this time it is the other way around.

Simmons easily takes this as he is lighting up the NBA with his 7.7 apg and his Lebron-like vision.

Embiid and Simmons are a deadly combo because of Simmons passing ability. Simmons can easily find his 7 foot center for an easy dunk nearly every time Simmons drives inside. Once Markelle Fultz comes back, which will be either this or next season Simmons is going to have many options to pass to.

Donovan Mitchell is actually a good passer, but he is still developing, where as Simmons is already a top 10 passer in the NBA. Simmons may never be as good of a scorer as Mitchell is, but he most certainly is a great passer.

Pick: Ben Simmons

Defense

(Steven M. Falk / Philadelphia Inquirer)

Last year the Philadephia 76ers were the 27th team in defense rating. This year they are the 14th. This is largely due to the play of Ben Simmons.

He is averaging 1.7 steal per game, which is good for top 10 in the league and the most for rookies.

Mitchell is averaging 1.4 spg. The reason why Simmons is better at Defense is simply because Mitchell is very inconsistent on the defensive end. Sometimes he makes amazing plays that can turn a game around, but he can also make boneheaded plays that can turn a game around, but not in a good way.

Mitchell is going to improve in following years and may one day become one of the best defenders at the point guard position, but right now Simmons has to take this category.

Pick: Ben Simmons

Clutchness

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Donovan Mitchell is one of the most clutch players in the NBA right now. He is dominating in the clutch and is leading the Jazz to many tough victories.

Per @nbastats, Donovan Mitchell is tied with Kemba Walker for 6th most points scored in the 4th quarter this season with 175 and is amongst rookies, Mitchell ranks #1.

During clutch situations Donovan Mitchell is averaging 3.1 ppg, which is leading all rookies. Donovan is destroying all rookies in clutch situations. Game after game Mitchell finds a way to lead the Jazz to a victory.

If Mitchell can keep piling up wins for the Jazz he may just be able to get the Jazz to the playoffs. As they say nothing matters unless you get the win, and that is exactly what DM is doing.

Pick: Donovan Mitchell

Final Verdict

The Rookie of the Year race is one of the closest races that we have had in years. It will be very close, they both have great qualities that can make them some of the best players in the NBA won day. Their potential is through the roof.

It is incredibly close, but no matter what happens they are both still going to have bright futures.