Taking the crown this year on what most people are calling an ‘upset’ over Minnesota Timberwolves Anthony Edwards, Charlotte Hornets LaMelo secured his legacy in the league with a first-class rookie year. Despite missing 21 games due to a small wrist injury he was still able to pull ahead with the victory and throughout the year put up an incredible 15.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 6.1 APG. All season long he’s given us a show with his highlight-reel passes and long-range jumpers, seeming to be more put together than any rookie should.
Almost the whole season it had been a clear neck and neck battle between Anthony Edwards and Melo Ball. Announced on June 16, 2021, via Adrian Wojnarowski, “Lamelo Ball has won the NBA’s 2020-21 Rookie of the Year award.” Almost everyone in the basketball community no matter fans, coaches, staff, or players were somewhat shocked by the seeming outcome of this competition.
Even while being one of the Timberwolves’ most dependable bucket getters, with impressive rookie stats averaging 19.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 2.9 APG; it wasn’t enough to persuade NBA fans to send him all the way to his goal. Not taking too kindly to the outcome Edwards was vocal on Twitter expressing his next movements with a simple statement being, “I don’t think NBA voters realize what they just did. You should never poke the bear…#IpromisItAgesWell.” Foreshadowing next season, we will most likely see a substantial improvement from this young star.
Chosen as the No. 3 overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft, Lamelo Ball came into the league with something to prove to the world. Being the youngest of the two Ball brothers to enter the league one can only imagine the mindset going through his first year. Wanting to be the best in the family and consistently trying to one-up his brother Lonzo Ball of the New Orleans Pelicans, Melo has shown he is here to play.