The ESPYs took place on Saturday night in New York City. The annual award show that recognizes athletes from many different sports, honoured three players from the NBA. Remarkably all three players were point guards–Russell Westbrook of the Washington Wizards, LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets, and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
Westbrook won the award for best record-breaking performance. On May 10, 2021, Westbrook broke the NBA record for most triple-doubles all-time with 182. The native of Long Beach, California broke the record previously set by Oscar Robertson, who had 181.
Ball, who won the 2020-21 NBA rookie of the year, was named the best breakthrough athlete at the ESPYs. This past year Ball of Anaheim, California, averaged 15.7 points per game, 6.1 assists per game, and 5.9 rebounds per game. He received the honour despite missing 21 games of the Hornets’ season with a broken wrist. Despite the injury, Ball led all rookies in assists with 313. There is no doubt that Ball has a remarkable future ahead of him, and at the age of 19 is one of the game’s brightest stars.
Curry meanwhile was named the best player in the National Basketball Association despite not guiding the Golden State Warriors to the final 16 teams in the NBA playoffs for 2020-21. Curry and the Warriors lost 117-112 to the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Play-In Tournament. In the regular season, Curry led the NBA in scoring with 32 points per game, 2015 total points, and 337 three-pointers. Despite an excellent season, he was not named the NBA MVP for 2020-21, as that honour went to Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
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