Widely considered a strong contender to be picked No. 1 overall leading up to the 2020 draft, LaMelo Ball ultimately fell to No. 3, where he was snatched up by the Hornets. Now, less than two months into his rookie year, he’s showing why picking him first overall may have been the right move.
Through his first 26 games, Ball is leading all NBA rookies in PPG (14.3), APG (6.1), and SPG (1.4), and his 5.8 RPG ranks second only to James Wiseman‘s 6.1. Ball has been even better as of late, pouring in 21.6 PPG on .488/.440/.900 shooting to go along with 6.8 APG and 5.4 RPG in his last eight games.
That hot streak included Ball’s first NBA start, on February 1, and John Hollinger of The Athletic suggests it’s hard to imagine the rookie ever coming off the bench again. The 19-year-old has already improved by “leaps and bounds” since even the start of the season, according to Hollinger, who says Ball may already be the best player on Charlotte’s roster and looks fully capable of destroying the narrative that the 2020 draft didn’t have a superstar-caliber at the top of the class.
So far, Ball’s full-season numbers aren’t as impressive as those put up by Luka Doncic in 2018/19 or Ja Morant in ’19/20, but he’s quickly emerging as the overwhelming favorite to join those players in earning Rookie of the Year honors. Few other players from the 2020 class have had a major impact on their respective teams so far, and not many are in position to enter a starting lineup and take another huge leap forward like Ball has.
For now, Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton and Warriors big man Wiseman look like Ball’s top challengers for the Rookie of the Year award. Haliburton is averaging 12.0 PPG and 5.3 APG with a .455 3PT% off the bench for Sacramento, while Wiseman, who began the season as Golden State’s starting center, has recorded 12.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 1.3 BPG.
However, it’s hard to imagine Haliburton taking on a much greater role this season than the one he already has (he’s averaging 29.4 minutes per game), while Wiseman figures to experience some ups and downs as he continues to adjust to the NBA on a veteran-led squad competing for a playoff spot.
We want to know what you think. Are you already penciling in Ball as the probable Rookie of the Year winner, barring an injury? Or is this race still very much up in the air, with Haliburton and Wiseman in the mix along with other potential challengers like Anthony Edwards, Cole Anthony, and Immanuel Quickley?
Head to the comment section below to share your thoughts!
Should be a close race for 2nd !
Lamelo is the most exciting player to watch right now in the NBA, lets hope its not just an extreme heater he’s on
Zeller isnt horrible and actually moves pretty well but I really wanna see Ball paired with an elite big some time soon, hes going to be dynamo with a P&R partner
Seems to be the guy that we thought lonzo would be and isn’t. I remember when we drafted lonzo and the hype was so huge only to have him crater and not be able to shoot a lick. Also had a feeling lamelo would be the best of the bunch, just didn’t really try that hard. Now that he is trying he has a limitless ceiling. I believe if lonzo had the same drive he could be just as impactful.
Everybody always said Lamelo was the best we just kinda took it as” draftspeak”or pumping his value up which would be normal to do
I use to drive out to Chino to get a glimpse, it was hard to tell as it was HS and he held such a body advantage to most kids then
I was very critical of Lonzo on the Lakers but as I look back Luke Walton was a toad and that atmosphere was not conducive for Lonzo to grow up in
Way I see it even 25 games in tho is LaMelos shot, handles, passing, IQ, vision, body, energy is already better than anything we have seen with Lonzo…..Im just curios to see if theres even MORE growth….I think he needs a Big Buddy to unlock that with…Plenty of Time here ;)
“Lamelo is the most exciting player to watch right now in the NBA”
No, that is Stephen Curry, by like a million billion miles. He is redefining the game, once again, right before our eyes, almost every play he does is highlight reel now. But Ball is probably the best rookie, so your comment should read:
“Lamelo is the most exciting rookie to watch right now in the NBA.”
and then you’d be spot on, although Quickly has been entertaining and Wiseman has shown elite moves too. Haliburton is also really good, but not as flashy as the others.
I LOVE that Steph is BACK Marty!
Durant too….
2 of the coolest things that shouldnt have been taken for granted before the season came true, these dudes are back to a 100! Good for Game!
Curry.
That behind the back layup the other day was absolutely incredible
Lamelo is already better than ja Morant. In terms of impact on court in last few years he is probably only behind zion and up until this year doncic. Advanced metrics have him as an major assets both offensively and defensively. If he improves his shooting as he has done recently the sky is the limit for him.
You mean he’s currently playing better than Ja morant – yes.
However Ja Mornat is still the better, more solid player at this moment. You’d be an absolute fool or a complete gambler to take Lamelo over Ja at this stage. I’m high on Lamelo, but the dudes just stepped into the league. Give him a season or two for his stats and metrics to balance out properly, then maybe start drawing comparisons.
A Buddy Hield injury, or Harrison Barnes trade could make this Rookie race a lot closer. Haliburton, like Ball looks NBA ready.
The thing that separates Haliburton from Wiseman & Ball is how incredibly high his IQ is. Just give this kid more reps, minutes, and his numbers go up. Ball & Wiseman have the athletic ceiling going in their favor. Ball has made some sloppy, confused, defensive choices, but has also left me in wonder & amazement.
Agree on Hali… but I think Balls IQ is thru the roof as well
He just has to realize the defense recovery time here in the NBA is like nothing hes ever seen….. Some of these passes have never been “intercepted ” at any other level and prolly get thru the D for assists to teamates layups ….He will calibrate it, his dribbles are so tight (Kyrie-esque) for a bigger guy, (abnormal really) coupled with his long stride/height its just a nightmare in space to defend and thats without the passing/vision that also accompanies him ; Special!
I wasn’t bagging on Ball’s IQ. Its better than Wiseman’s, high caliber on offense, but secondary to Haliburton on defense. I also think Haliburton might even have him edged slightly if only for a short period in the offensive IQ department also.
What is most surprising about Ball is his athleticism. I had Wiseman as the better athlete, and I now believe I was wrong.
Oh yea I know,Haliburton IQ is off the chart he deserves the props!
Im most surprised with Balls shooting tbh…. Still hasnt got the mid range jumper he will need, but the floater is soft and 3 looks good today, far beyond what I thought
Wiseman has the highest ceiling of the group, but he probably wont reach it on the Warriors, who have forgotten how to develop players entirely.
Wiseman been injured and Kerr always bring a rookie into the system slowly. Ball has the big advantage playing in the east against some weak teams. Its still way to early to say who is the best rookie. All 3 have about the same scoring average. Ball is way higher on assist. Wiseman should take the rebounding title among rookies. With looney out 2 more week Wiseman’s minutes will go up so his chances should go up too.
I agree and I had him #1 in the draft, along with Avdija and Wiseman, with Ball 4th. He’s really good but he’s not as flashy as Ball or Wiseman. Avdija got hurt early so jury is out.
Lamelo’s competition last year didn’t show. A knock was that he played to that level of competition which questions his will. He has proven he can play. Let’s see what else he does over the rest of the season. I agree that if Haliburton gets more playing time, he could challenge
Haliburton or Edwards number 2. A dark horse would be Immanuel Quickley
Lamelo is the ROY hands down… Time to trade Graham. Yes he’s a good player but Lamelo does more for them… Graham is going to be a RFA this summer. Deal him for a decent big!
ROY after 25 gms, it’s a third of the season. Calm down there still a way to go. Ball is avg 27 mins. His FG% is not good. His Tov are not good. His D is not good. He’s had a few good gms that have pushed his stats up. He is leading the race right now. Wiseman has played 21 mins. If he played 6 more mins he would be leading the race. Now that KAT is back Minny starts winning. Edwards is back in the race. Ja avg 31 mins his rookie yr, Luka 32 mins, Simmons 33.7 mins. Mins played helps pad the stats. Right now Ball is leading, still plenty of time.
Wiseman, Edwards, Halliburton, Williams, Ball right now. Seems like it will come down to these 5. I see top three picks having best shot at ROY.
Yep, they’re not even approaching the fabled “rookie wall”.
Wisemans value will be determined in 3 years from now. His development is his competition. He has all the tools to be Embid-dominant possibly. Or AD-like. Sky is the limit, but he is less refined than Ball, or Haliburton right now.
Edwards has a similar problem, and I don’t know that shooting is his game, or if Kat will open up the inside for him? Pretty Raw still. Like him as a pro though. Great size & athleticism.
I feel pretty confident Ball or Haliburton are the ROY. Injury is all that would change that possibly.
The only guy not getting mentioned who has been solid is Vassel for the Spurs. Having a good rookie campaign.
Such a Spur player
He landed in the right spot, a guy I could see incrementally growing year after year like Kawahi kinda but not the huge ceiling
Bane also deserves a shout although many NBA mockers were shouting at the screen for an hr draft night saying he was the SOD
@ Knickerbocker Al… Your long story book essay won’t change my views.It’s mind boggling that you believe everyone has to acquiesce to your opinion. It is hilarious & sounds like privilege…
Cause I think 25 gms is not enough. I gave you five guys I think have shot, including Ball leading. I am privileged to you. With a lot more knowledge. It’s called talent.
Where I come from is called arrogance & obnoxiousness… but whatever gets you off, dude!
As an early LaMelo doubter/hater, I’m here to say I was wrong.
LaMelo is statistically dominating the other rookies and is a starter. Season’s not over, but he’s the clear favorite.
It’s probably over. Statistically, between LaMelo and Haliburton, it’s not a fair competition. This is a PG’s award. Not because of their skill set, but their access to volume stats. LaMelo is his team’s sole PG and primary facilitator and always has the ball. Haliburton plays as a combo G, and only runs the offense when Fox is out of the game. He’s generally playing off the ball. So, LaMelo has the rail to put up better volume numbers, including on AST and REB. Haliburton on being higher percentage. It’s hard to see ROY voters rewarding the latter over the former.
Quickley might actually have a better chance than Haliburton if the Knicks handed him the starting PG spot and gave him 30 plus min a night. That’s not happening, nor should it, but it would help with ROY.
I’m not saying LaMelo isn’t the best player in the class. He looks like he may well be. I’m saying I think he’ll win the award regardless of that, as long as he keeps the starting job, because the volume numbers aren’t going down.
Having said that LaMelo plays together with 1-2 guards as well like Haliburton… but LaMelo doesn’t play as many minutes as Haliburton who has more volume, meanwhile LaMelo has to get more quality in less minutes!
I think he’s saying future wise El Don – Lamelos gonna avg over 32+ mins rest of season and he will have a higher usage rate as well-
To me tho, take the stats out completely and lets just talk about what we’ve seen lb for lb from everyone with our own eyes . Theres some talented Rooks in this class, no doubt, and they all seem like hard working, high IQ, high motor guys (the player type I love) and then theres LaMelo Ball
Lamelo Ball, Wiseman, Edwards, Haliburton are all amazing talents. Then P.Williams, Pritchard, Vassell, Bane, Onyeka, Stewart, and a slough of other guys have impressed so far. Its a pretty good draft so far.
Coming into season I thought Okongwu and Toppin had a shot. Thinking they would get mins and being more ready. But being behind players playing well has changed that.
The ROY is Payton Pritchard