I still remember the excitement building up during that 2018 NBA season, particularly watching the incredible rookie class that seemed destined to change the landscape of professional basketball. When Ben Simmons ultimately took home the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year award, it felt both inevitable and groundbreaking. What many casual fans might not realize is that Simmons' journey to this honor was anything but conventional, and his victory created ripples through the league that we're still feeling today.
The voting itself told quite the story - Simmons received 90 out of 101 possible first-place votes, finishing well ahead of Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum. Those numbers don't lie, but they also don't capture the full picture of why his rookie season felt so revolutionary. See, what made Simmons' case particularly fascinating was that he'd actually been drafted back in 2016, but an injury kept him from playing what would have been his true rookie season. So when he finally stepped onto the court in 2017-2018, there was this unusual combination of fresh talent and seasoned understanding of the game.
I've always been drawn to players who defy traditional position labels, and Simmons embodied this perfectly. Standing at 6'10", he played primarily as a point guard, something virtually unheard of in NBA history for someone of his height. Watching him orchestrate the offense while physically towering over most opponents created mismatches that coaches could only dream of. His court vision reminded me of watching young Magic Johnson tapes - that rare ability to see plays developing before anyone else.
The statistics from that season still jump off the page when I look them up. Simmons averaged 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, joining Oscar Robertson as the only rookies in league history to average at least 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. Those assist numbers particularly stood out to me - here was a rookie essentially averaging as many assists as some veteran floor generals. I remember arguing with friends about whether his outside shooting limitations would ultimately cap his potential, but even then, his impact felt too significant to dismiss over one weakness.
What often gets overlooked in discussions about that ROY race is how Simmons transformed the 76ers' entire identity. Before his arrival, Philadelphia had been mired in their "Process" years - intentionally losing to accumulate draft picks. Simmons' debut season coincided with their sudden leap to 52 wins and a playoff appearance. The energy in Philadelphia shifted almost overnight, and you could feel the league taking notice of this new force in the East.
The debate between Simmons and Mitchell that season was particularly intense among basketball circles. While Simmons brought this unique physical package and all-around game, Mitchell's scoring explosions captured headlines in a different way. Mitchell dropped 20-plus points in his first six playoff games, something even Michael Jordan hadn't accomplished. Still, when I rewatch those games now, Simmons' impact feels more comprehensive - his defense, rebounding, and playmaking created advantages across multiple dimensions rather than just scoring.
Thinking back to that Ynares Center reference in your notes reminds me of how basketball creates these historic moments across different venues worldwide. While Simmons made his mark in NBA arenas, the spirit of breakthrough performances translates globally. Those takeaways from exciting games - whether at Ynares Center or Wells Fargo Center - often revolve around players redefining what's possible, much like Simmons did during his rookie campaign.
His historical significance extends beyond just statistics or awards. Simmons challenged conventional thinking about player development and positional flexibility. Teams began looking for their own versions of positionless players, and the trend toward length and versatility at guard positions accelerated after his rookie season. I've noticed front offices becoming increasingly willing to draft players who don't fit traditional molds, partly because Simmons demonstrated such unique traits could translate to winning basketball.
The legacy of that 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year race continues to influence how we evaluate young talent today. We've become more appreciative of diverse skill sets and less rigid about positional requirements. Simmons showed that historic production could come in unexpected packages, and his particular brand of basketball intelligence combined with physical gifts created a template that prospects are still measured against. Even with his subsequent career challenges, that rookie season remains a landmark moment that expanded our understanding of what's possible on the basketball court.
Looking back, what strikes me most about Simmons' 2018 Rookie of the Year victory isn't just the numbers or the historical comparisons, but how it represented basketball's evolving nature. The game continues to reward innovation and versatility, and Simmons' unique combination of skills pointed toward future directions the sport might take. His award recognized not just individual excellence but a shifting paradigm in how basketball could be played - and that, to me, is what makes his achievement truly historic rather than just another seasonal honor.