The J-Notes
Fansided

Utah Jazz have four legitimate contenders for end-of-year NBA awards

By Jared Woodcox

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 2: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 2, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 2: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 2, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 5: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz high fives fans after the game against the Orlando Magic on March 5, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 5: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz high fives fans after the game against the Orlando Magic on March 5, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Rookie of the Year – Donovan Mitchell

From the season’s onset, Philadelphia 76ers phenom Ben Simmons was largely considered the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year Award, and with good reason. He was highly-touted in college and despite missing what would have been his entire first year in the league due to injury, he had clearly proven himself as primed to become a generational talent long before that.

And so far in his rookie season, he has not disappointed. However, a certain Jazzman has made the Rookie of the Year race much closer than anyone could have presumed at the start of the year. That of course is Donovan Mitchell.

Mitchell’s emergence as a budding NBA star has turned the Rookie of the Year contest into essentially a two-man race. While Simmons has a strong argument as perhaps the better all-around player, Mitchell’s impact on his team cannot be understated.

He’s the leading scorer for the Jazz as well as the leading scorer among all rookies at 19.8 points per game. He has a higher usage percentage than Ben Simmons as Mitchell has quickly transformed into the number one option on a team that is on the cusp of forcing its way back into the playoffs. Meanwhile, Simmons is a key part of Philadelphia’s current playoff run, but many would consider him second fiddle to All-Star Joel Embiid.

On the other hand, some could suggest that Donovan Mitchell is also second fiddle to Rudy Gobert since he’s made his healthy return. Simply put, there are so many arguments for and against both players earning the award. The fact of the matter is that these are two different players with two different roles (albeit key roles) on two different teams, which makes comparing them side-by-side more than a little bit tricky.

The only poor take is refusing to admit that either player has a case for winning Rookie of the Year.

At the end of the day, I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if Ben Simmons ends up getting the nod. There’s no question that he’s deserving! But Donovan Mitchell is every bit as deserving of being in that conversation and at this juncture, has a legitimate shot to steal the Rookie of the Year Award from the once heavy favorite.

Especially if the Jazz are able to force their way into the playoffs, perhaps even nabbing around the sixth seed, with Donovan Mitchell leading the way and breaking the 20 points per game mark, his case is going to be even further solidified.

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