I’m sure your social media timeline is full of posts about the 2018 NBA Rookie Of The Year debate, pics of Donovan Mitchell’s “Rookie” hoodie and quotes from Ben Simmons, who some — like Richard Jefferson — do not consider a “true rookie” because he had an “entire year to train and practice against NBA talent” while recovering from an injury.
By NBA rules, Simmons is a rookie because his first NBA regular-season game was this season.
My question is, “What do you call a first-year NBA player during the summer league and/or preseason?”
A rookie, right?
If that’s the answer, then how does a rookie in 2016 win the Rookie Of The Year award in 2018? I said the same thing back in 2011 when the NBA awarded 2009 No. 1 draft pick Blake Griffin the Rookie Of The Year award over 2010 No. 1 draft pick John Wall.
In the final game of the 2009 preseason, Blake Griffin broke his kneecap (Clippers curse!). The injury prevented him from playing during the regular season and allowed Tyreke Evans to win the award over Steph Curry. Although Griffin never played a minute during the regular season, he did play in the summer league and multiple preseason games — DJ Mbenga remembers this very well.
If Blake was a “rookie” in 2010 and 2011, then what was he called while he was dunking on NBA players and attending the NBA rookie photo shoot in 2009?
Anyone interested in purchasing any of these Blake Griffin rookie cards? I got them back in 2009.
Some might think I’m hating on Blake, but he’s actually my favorite player in the league right now. I’m just hating on the idea of the Rookie Of The Year award going to a player who has been on an NBA roster for more than one year.
Anyways, let’s just enjoy these absolutely ridiculous highlights of Blake from his rookie/2nd season.
2009 NBA DRAFT
2009 NBA SUMMER LEAGUE
2011 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR PRESS CONFERENCE