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DWW Staff Roundtable: 2021 NBA Awards Predictions

By Dylan Jackson

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on January 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on January 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 01: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by Harrison Barden/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 01: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Photo by Harrison Barden/Getty Images) /

NBA Awards: Rookie of the Year

Okay, take this one with a grain of salt. This is, in fact, a Timberwolves-content-based website 🙂

DJ – LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

With all due respect to Anthony Edwards, he just does not come close to LaMelo Ball when it comes to affecting winning. Ball is the complete package – scoring, playmaking, upside as a defender, all at 19-years old. While Edwards has improved drastically over the course of the year, 50 games of LaMelo Ball still takes the cake. That’s not to slight Edwards – it’s more just notable how incredible Ball has been when healthy.

PL – Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

During the first half of the season LaMelo Ball was running away with the rookie of the year award until he injured his wrist on March 21st. Anthony Edwards took advantage of the unfortunate injury and is currently averaging over 18 points a game and was named the Western conference rookie of the month in March. The rookie of the year race is still close, but the fact that LaMelo ball has missed significant time might hurt his chances of winning the rookie of the year award.

PF – LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

It’s hard not to vote for Anthony Edwards here, but what LaMelo has done this season is historic. He’s one of just four players in history to average at least 15.9 points, six assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game in their rookie season. The others are Oscar Roberston, Magic Johnson, and Michael Carter-Williams. LaMelo has only played in 41 games with about less than ten remaining, but in a year where everyone is dealing with COVID and the ramifications of a compressed season, it’s fine to have a winner play just over half the season.

BW – Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Averaging 18.3 points 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists all while struggling to get things rolling under Ryan Saunders, Edwards has completely turned around his rookie season.  Averaging 22.9 points 5.2 rebounds 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game since the All-star break.  The case for LaMelo Ball has fallen short with only 41 games under his belt, equating to just over half the season. The Hornet’s then went 7-3 in their next ten games without LaMelo. They have since fell off due to Hayward being injured as well, but still sit at 10-9 without Ball. Debunking the claim that he was taking a bad team to the playoffs.

BF – Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

This was LaMelo Ball’s award to lose before the injury but Edwards’ improvement post-All Star break gives him the edge. His minutes and usage rose, which led to better counting stats but his efficiency got considerably better (46.6 percent true shooting pre-ASB to 54.5 percent).

FINAL COUNT: Anthony Edwards 3, LaMelo Ball 2

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