Amongst NBA circles, the ROY race has heated up with some fantastic players in Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell. Both teams are in the playoffs, and both players have risen to the occasion. The only problem is that Simmons missed all last year with a foot injury while Mitchell was drafted in this year’s class.

Paul Pierce seems conflicted.

“I think; you have to play the game…regardless if you’re traveling, you’re getting NBA coaching advice, you still have to play regardless, he didn’t play against any NBA talent that year.”

“It’s not fair to Donovan Mitchell, he is the best rookie in this draft class…at the same time (Ben Simmons) didn’t play any games.”

At the end of the day, Ben Simmons did not play in a single game last year and the NBA allows players to be a rookie if you miss your first season due to injury. Mitchell seems like he deserves the award as well. Who can fault these players?

“You have to play the game at the end of the day.”