John Wall is a smart dude.
And probably a bit of a Kentucky homer.
Ahead of the Washington Wizards’ 104-98 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, Wall was asked who deserved to be named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year. He, of course, chose fellow Kentucky alum Karl-Anthony Towns, per Kyle Ratke of Timberwolves.com:
However, Wall doesn’t get a vote in the Rookie of the Year race. But if he did, it would go to Karl-Anthony Towns.
“To me, he’s Rookie of the Year, I mean, you don’t see many bigs that can shoot, pass, finish around the basket,” Wall said. “He’s having a heck of a season so far and he’s only going to keep improving and getting better.”
Although Wall may be, on some level, paying homage to his Kentucky roots, he isn’t wrong. Towns is by far and away the league’s top rookie. Kristaps Porzingis and Nikola Jokic deserve honorable mentions, but really, this isn’t even a contest.
Consider this: The last rookie to match Towns’ per-game averages in the points, rebounding and blocks department?
Tim Duncan.
So yeah, he’s in good company.
That Rookie of the Year award isn’t his to lose.
It’s just his.
