Utah Jazz: Josh Jackson doesn’t consider Ben Simmons a rookie

Just like a large contingency of Utah Jazz fans seem to think, Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson doesn’t believe Ben Simmons should be considered a rookie.

Aside from the fact that the 2017-18 Utah Jazz season was one of the most exciting years for the team in the past decade, it also has produced one of the most controversial debates in the entire NBA. Namely, who deserves the Rookie of the Year Award, Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons or surprise breakout star Donovan Mitchell?

Jazz fans, of course, will defend Mitchell until they’re blue in the face, and they have a solid argument behind them. Not only did he set a new rookie record for 3-pointers made in a single season, but he was the leading scorer among all rookies and on a Jazz team that he helped to defy the odds and return to the playoffs.

Simmons had a spectacular 2017-18 campaign as well, but due to the nature of his transition into the league, his status as a rookie has become somewhat controversial. Simmons was drafted in 2016, but after suffering a foot injury, ended up not appearing in a single game that entire year.

Of course, there were some presumptions that he could have played but was held out as part of Philly’s continued tank job, and further fuel was added to the fire of those thoughts amid all the Bryan Colangelo burner controversy. Nevertheless, the fact remains that Simmons didn’t log a second of NBA playing time in 2016-17, therefore the 2017-18 season officially became his rookie campaign.

And as a result, his spectacular season certainly has him as the front runner for the Rookie of the Year Award. Still, considering that he’s technically been a part of the league since 2016, some feel less than cheery about him being considered and favored for the recognition. Principal among these are Jazz fans, but it appears they have a new ally in their ranks.

The Phoenix Suns’ Josh Jackson, who like Donovan Mitchell was drafted in 2017, recently had some pretty direct words to say about Simmons’ status as a rookie. In an interview with Brandon ‘ScoopB’ Robinson of ScoopB Radio, Jackson was asked directly, is Ben Simmons a rookie? To which he replied succinctly, “I don’t really think so.”

He later added, “Sitting out and then playing the next year, I think that does absolutely give you an advantage.” And he also referred to Simmons as having already been “in the league for a year.”

In other words, the ‘redshirt rookie’ gripe that exists in relation to Simmons isn’t just one among Jazz fans. Apparently Josh Jackson of the Phoenix Suns feels similar and it goes without saying that many others feel likewise. Mitchell was praised by his fellow NBA peers all season long and even ultimately won the Players’ Voice Award as the league’s top rookie.

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Nevertheless, complaints and differences of opinion won’t change the rule. Ben Simmons was indeed considered a rookie and is certainly the front runner to take home the hardware in Monday’s NBA Awards Show, regardless of what Jazz fans, Donovan Mitchell or even guys like Josh Jackson might think.

Still, Mitchell more than exceeded expectations this past season and that’s what should be viewed as most important to Utah Jazz fans. Regardless of whether he gets the end-of-season award or not, he’s set himself up to have a prolific NBA career and lead his Jazz team to overwhelming success down the road.