Karl-Anthony Towns sees Timberwolves teammate Anthony Edwards as a clear choice for Rookie of the Year, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. Edwards had a slow start to his first NBA season, but he has been on a torrid pace lately, averaging 30.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in his last four games while shooting 48% from three-point range. Edwards and Hornets guard LaMelo Ball are the leading contenders for top rookie honors, but Towns doesn’t see it as a close race.
“There ain’t no other rookie in this league getting double-teamed. There ain’t no other rookie putting up the numbers Ant is. There ain’t no other rookie causing the havoc and mayhem before the game even starts with the scouting reports like Anthony is,” Towns said. “But I don’t want to hear nothing about no other people who are rookies. I don’t want to hear that. I don’t go by hype, I go by stats.”
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Everyone involved in the proposed sale of the Timberwolves remains confident that a deal will be completed, Krawczynski notes in a profile of prospective new co-owner Marc Lore. He and Alex Rodriguez are nearing the end of a 30-day exclusive negotiating window to finalize the purchase of the team.
- Kenrich Williams wasn’t certain to win a roster spot with the Thunder in training camp, but now he seems like part of the team’s future, according to Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. Williams was considered salary filler when Oklahoma City acquired him from the Pelicans as part of the Steven Adams deal in November. He has earned a spot in the rotation and is averaging 7.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in 21.5 minutes per night. “I’ve solidified my role as far as what I can be in this league,” Williams said. “My first two years I felt like I was just a pretty solid defender, solid all-around player, but offensively is where I wanted to take that next jump.”
- The close relationship between Nuggets coach Michael Malone and MVP candidate Nikola Jokic has helped the organization develop a championship culture, writes Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post. After six years together, they have created a belief throughout the organization that Denver can challenge for a title. “The guy gave me everything,” Jokic said of Malone. “The guy gave me the freedom, he led me, he showed me the way. And we built a great relationship, not just he’s the coach and I’m a player. We are friends, too. It’s more than basketball.”
IMO
Jalen Green and Edwards have more potential than Suggs and Cade
Most people would disagree saying that Cade has the most potential there.
But Suggs may be the weak link in this hypothetical.
Of course we won’t know which of them is better for at least a few years, but I would take Cade or Jalen Suggs over Anthony Edwards or Jalen Green.
I don’t like the way Suggs takes things personally… could be like CPaul but also could be like Westbrook with less talent. Or Reggie Jackson. Stats should be good anyway.
Ball has missed almost half a season. Doesn’t play D really. And his stats are not even close to AntMan. Why this family still gets hype. Is beyond my understanding. What excatly have they done. Potential is NOT a stat. And at some point potential becomes Bust. Ball has not lived up to 2nd rd pick. Yet still gets hype over a few good gms. We’ll wait on LaMelo awhile. But he needs weight and learn to play D
ROY the AntMan. ….. only ROY .
not even close like KAT says.
Come on KAT! We all know you are an all-time legend of hoops, but… seriously if you go by stats as you say… LaMelo is the runaway ROY, not even close, no one else in the convo, right?
Edwards is closing in Hali for the #2, but both of them play a lot more every game than LaMelo, which shows even more the value that Ball has for his team, doing a lot more than them in a lot less time.
LaMelo is the unanimous ROY, as simple as!
BTW he has almost single handedly taken his team to the playoff, meanwhile Hali & Ant have failed to do so, not that it matters much for rookies, but even that goes for LaMelo!
Nah, Balls been badass but by no means has he single handily taken them to the playoffs.
CHA’s gotten good contributions all around and they really epitomize the “different guy” every night mentality.
LaMelo will probably get it, but Id have no problem with Ant getting it based on more games played , its just a silly award that means spit by next year…… LaMelo’s in a good mind space right now, hope he stays there forever , Id bet he could care less about the award. There’s much greater things ahead for that young man
How could he single handle takenthem to playoffs only playing have the games?
Record with Lamelo 23 and 23.
Record without Lamelo 10 and 11.
Don doesn’t understand “single handedly”.
That team has won on team talent. Hayward is biggest reason, Rozier, Bridges, plenty have contributed. Including Ball for HALF a season.
Ball – 46 gms, 28.7 mins. 15.9 pts, 6.2 ast, 5.9 reb
AntMan – 67 gms, 32 mins, 19 pts, 2.8 ast, 4.7 reb
Ball is having a decent yr. not ROY
Edwards: Did we just become new best friends ?
KAT: Shhhh DeAngelo’s around here somewhere still