3 reasons Anthony Edwards should win Rookie of the Year

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 27: Anthony Edwards #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 27, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images) /

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2. LaMelo Ball has missed too many games

This is not meant to discount the numbers Ball has put up or the impact he’s had on the Hornets this season. But the main thing that could curtail Ball’s chances of winning Rookie of the Year is the fact that he’s missed ample time due to injury. Even if he played every remaining game for the Hornets, he’d still have missed nearly 30 percent of the season!

Back in March, Ball suffered a fracture in his right wrist after falling on it during a dunk attempt against the LA Clippers. The initial belief was that the rookie would miss the remainder of the season, but after undergoing surgery, he was able to return. The issue is that Ball missed a grand total of 21 games.

Players like Joel Embiid and Zion Williamson both looked like superstars during their rookie seasons too. The problem was that both were sidelined a significant number of games due to injuries, and it’s the reason they missed out on winning Rookie of the Year despite being seen as the best rookies in the league when available. Williamson played just 24 games after undergoing right knee surgery prior to the start of the 2019-20 season, while Embiid’s season ended after 31 games due to left knee injuries.

Even with Ball playing at a high-level, Ball could easily join that same category, as the chunk of games he was sidelined for may prevent him from taking home the Rookie of the Year award.

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