All-Stars endorse Donovan Mitchell for NBA Rookie of the Year


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LOS ANGELES — The Utah Jazz have made it to NBA All-Star Weekend as the hottest team in the league, ripping off 11 straight wins against some of the top teams across the NBA. One large factor for the Jazz’s recent streak has been the emergence of Donovan Mitchell.

And while millions of eyes will be tuned into the All-Star Weekend to enjoy the top players in the league showcasing their talents in various challenges, some of the All-Stars have already taken note of the rookie Jazzman.

With 24 games left in the regular season, the debate for who is most deserving of NBA Rookie of the Year is heating up more than ever. Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers and Mitchell are the two front-runners for the award after they have both posted stellar rookie campaigns up to the break. The two rookies have been enormous in leading their respective teams to 30 wins each.

Mitchell’s humility has been just as impressive as his game. But the team-first attitude instituted by coach Quin Snyder has Mitchell more concerned with making the playoffs over winning the hardware.

After the NBA draft, the odds for Rookie of the Year according to Bovada didn’t have Mitchell in the race, and Simmons was third on the list behind Lonzo Ball and Dennis Smith Jr. It wasn’t until after the summer league that Mitchell’s name started to appear in the odds. As of Jan. 3, the betting odds have Simmons at the top and Mitchell right behind him.

While Simmons has significant praise coming from sports writers and media personalities, Mitchell has some of his fellow peers supporting his case for Rookie of the Year. After Mitchell scored 21 points in the second half of a comeback victory for the Jazz against the Portland Trail Blazers, three-time All Star and former Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard expressed his thoughts about Mitchell’s performance and what he means to the Jazz to Joe Freeman of the Oregonian.

"I think he should be Rookie of the Year, for sure," said Lillard. "Not just because of his numbers, but his impact on their team. He's basically leading them. It's special to see a rookie be able to do what he's doing out there.

"He's a really, really, really good player," Lillard added. "Not just for a rookie, just as a player in this league, period."

And Lillard added even more praise at All-Star Media Day Saturday, calling Mitchell his "personal pick" who has more guts than players who have been in the league longer.

Lillard earned his third All-Star nod this season, and he’s not the only 2018 All-Star to declare Mitchell as the Rookie of the Year. Both Demar Derozan and DeMarcus Cousins wrote on an Instagram post by House of Highlights saying Mitchell should win the award.

👀 pic.twitter.com/ODj9JgqJuz — Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 13, 2018

DeRozan followed up his Instagram post with more comments on Saturday.

"To see what he’s doing now, winning 11 games straight carrying his team over, and the way he plays, being aggressive, you gotta love that," DeRozan told reporters. "His compete level is off the charts, like he’s a veteran player. I love watching him play."

Simmons is eligible for the award after missing his first year in the NBA due to injury. NBA Hall of Famer Reggie Miller also thinks the award should go to Mitchell since he is a "true rookie."

Has Donovan Mitchell closed the gap on Ben Simmons for ROY? I say Mitchell should get it since he's a 'true rookie', Simmons is a 'redshirt rookie'. Or just make it JKidd/GHill all over again.. — Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) February 13, 2018

Mitchell will be competing in two different events at All-Star Weekend. He will play in the Mtn Dew 2018 Kickstart Rising Stars challenge against Simmons as the two face off as members of the USA team and the World team. Finally, Mitchell will compete in the Slam Dunk Contest against fellow rookie Dennis Smith Jr., Victor Oladipo and Larry Nance Jr. The Jazz only have 11 nationally broadcast games this season, according to [Business Insider](http://www.businessinsider.com/nba-teams-national-tv-games-2017-8), so this weekend’s events will allow the world to see what Jazz fans already know: This kid is the real deal. ![](https://beacon.deseretconnect.com/beacon.gif?cid=587783&pid=4)

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