The 2020 NBA Draft class looked promising on paper from top to bottom. When it was all said and done in year one, it was Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball who were head and shoulders above the rest. Ball won a controversial Rookie of the Year award sparking the rivalry and conversation between the two.
Ball, selected third overall by the Charlotte Hornets, averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per contest as a rookie. The controversial part of the award selection was that Ball missed 21 games with a fractured wrist in the middle of the season. Edwards did not have this problem.
The No. 1 overall pick played in all 72 games a season ago, making 55 starts. He averaged 19.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest, adding 1.6 steals as well. In year one, the two stars developed an identity and it is continuing during their sophomore campaign.
For Anthony Edwards, he has solidified himself as a scorer. He is not averaging 21.4 points per game this season, along with 5.8 rebounds. Edwards is still not the best shooter but has jumped up to 33.9% from three-point range. There is no questioning that he is a better athlete and puts up better scoring numbers.
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As for LaMelo Ball, he is the complete point guard. This season, Ball has been healthy and has improved his numbers all across the board. Ball is putting up 20 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per contest. He is shooting 39.1% from three-point territory. It is only a matter of time before Ball is inserted into early-season MVP talks if he keeps up these numbers.
So the question is, which would you rather have?
Sure, teams have to be taken not account. Edwards plays for a mediocre Minnesota Timberwolves’ team where he is not even the top option. Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell take the ball out of his hands at times. Ball plays for a better team and has the lanky body type that we have seen succeed in the NBA.
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The point guard is the most important position on the floor in today’s NBA. Ball is an all-around contributor and is a better defender at this point in their careers. The flashy nature of Ball might have won him the Rookie of the Year last season but Anthony Edwards is the one putting up highlights this season with some posterizing dunks.
When looking at the young players as a whole, it is hard to go against LaMelo Ball. He is a complete point guard that can get it done on both ends. A team cannot go wrong with either one but Ball holds a slight edge at this point.
