As impressive as he has been at times, he will have a tough time becoming Golden State’s first Rookie of the Year since Chris Webber (1993-94) as long as LaMelo Ball keeps putting up video-game-like numbers for Charlotte. Here is where The Chronicle currently has the race for that award:
1. LaMelo Ball, PG, Hornets
Stats: 14.2 points on 43.3% shooting (36.3% from 3-point range), 5.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 26.9 minutes per game
Briefly: Entering the draft, Ball was widely viewed as the ultimate boom-or-bust proposition.