Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards fell short of winning the 2020-2021 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Charlotte Hornets point guard Lamelo Ball won the award despite missing 21 games due to injury.
Edwards and Ball will forever be linked together as members of the 2020 NBA draft class. Edwards was the No. 1 selection and Ball was the No. 3 pick. Both players had impressive rookie seasons and have NBA All-Star potential.
Anthony Edwards had a better season statistically than Lamelo Ball, but Lamelo Ball’s voters will argue that Ball was more valuable to his team. Ball and the Hornets went 33-39 last season. Charlotte was in position to make the playoffs until the last game of the regular season. The Hornets greatly missed Ball when he missed extended time during the end of the season with a wrist injury.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves went only 23-49 in another lackluster season for the franchise. Edwards did average 19.3 points per game compared to Lamelo’s 15.7 points per game.
Here is how NBA Twitter reacted to Lamelo Ball winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award at the expense of Anthony Edwards:
— Georgia Basketball (@UGABasketball) June 16, 2021
LaMelo Ball vs. Anthony Edwards this season:
– LaMelo:
15.7 PPG
6.1 APG
5.9 RPG
1.6 SPG
43% FG
35% 3P
51 Games– Edwards:
19.3 PPG
2.9 APG
4.7 RPG
1.1 SPG
41% FG
32% 3P
72 Games pic.twitter.com/I7EexWZXmt— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 16, 2021
Anthony edwards played every game this season and put up 20 ppg and didn’t win rookie of the year smh. pic.twitter.com/JvWU4X6JpT
— Aditya (@kadi_kid) June 16, 2021
When Anthony Edwards found out LaMelo Ball won rookie of the year pic.twitter.com/RNvuAhlGyK
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) June 16, 2021
Anthony Edwards appreciation tweet.
(via @NBA)
pic.twitter.com/Lsrho9zJux— FanDuel (@FanDuel) June 16, 2021
Anthony Edwards played every game this season and balled out. He should be ROY but we move.
— Barflaan Tedoe (@The_Barftender) June 16, 2021