The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Predicting the NBA Awards Show winners

By Jared Woodcox

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Donovan Mitchell looks on at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Donovan Mitchell looks on at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 9: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to the media after the game against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 9: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to the media after the game against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Rookie of the Year – Ben Simmons

I’m sorry to say it, Utah Jazz fans, but I’m pretty sure that Ben Simmons is going to end the night being crowned the Rookie of the Year. In fact, if it weren’t for the fact that he missed the entire 2016 season and he had put up the exact same stats as a member of the 2017 NBA Draft class, I’m pretty certain that there would be a lot less controversy.

Because the fact of the matter is that he had an incredible season and proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s primed to be a star in this league. At 15.8 points per game on an impressive 54.5 percent shooting from the field to go along with 8.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists, Simmons did a little of everything for Philly.

However, his “redshirt year” controversy aside, I still think Donovan Mitchell is deserving of the award. Apparently his peers agree as he was the recipient of the NBA Players’ Voice Award for the league’s best rookie. With that being the case, I’ll be excited to see if there’s any sort of crowd reaction tonight if and when Ben Simmons’ name is called.

The most outstanding things about Mitchell are that he set a new rookie record for 3-pointers made and led all rookies in scoring this season. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. To me, the most impressive parts of Mitchell’s 2017-18 campaign were that he was asked to do so much as a first-year player and he simply never faltered. Despite facing the stiffest of competition possible in the daunting Western Conference, Mitchell never relented and carried his team to the playoffs.

He did so with the highest usage rating of any rookie, which is a fact that simply can’t be overlooked. Despite the injuries around him and his team’s poor start to the season, Mitchell carried his squad while shouldering the largest possible load. As good as Ben Simmons and Jayson Tatum are, neither can say that they did as much for their respective teams.

Ben Simmons may win the award, but Donovan Mitchell is still every bit deserving.

Next: Utah Jazz: Two more players reported for summer league

The Awards Show begins this evening at 7:00 PM MT. Regardless of what happens with Mitchell, Gobert and Snyder, it’s bound to generate significant buzz among Utah Jazz fans, be it for good reasons or otherwise.

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