LaMelo Ball wants to be the President (Image via Getty Images) When LaMelo Ball informed the Minnesota Timberwolves that his ultimate goal was to become President of the United States, they reportedly decided not to select him with the first overall choice in 2020. Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic discussed why the Timberwolves chose Anthony Edwards over Ball with the first overall choice in the 2020 NBA draft during an appearance this week on The Ringer’s Zach Lowe Show. The Minnesota Timberwolves front staff apparently took issue with LaMelo Ball’s response to a pre-draft interview question prior to the 2020 NBA draft.
The bold LaMelo Ball revelation that left Minnesota weighing more than basketball
NBA fans won’t soon forget the story of how LaMelo Ball shocked the Minnesota Timberwolves during a pre-Draft interview. The Timberwolves were contemplating LaMelo as a possible option for their team throughout the selection process, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. But the young player’s unexpected response altered their choice.According to information from Jon Krawczynski on The Zach Lowe Show, Minnesota was very close to selecting the point guard with the first pick. According to Krawczynski, the Wolves were put off by a strange response during an already subpar pre-draft interview.“So, we know they picked [Anthony] Edwards.. But that’s not my little nugget for you all. It’s why they picked Edwards. They had an interview with LaMelo Ball during this process, trying to figure out, ‘Hey, is this the guy for us?’ And LaMelo — did not interview very well…”He clarified on Live from Minnesota with Zach Lowe during the same podcast. He clarified on Live from Minnesota with Zach Lowe during the same podcast:“One of the questions they asked him was: ‘Hey LaMelo, after you’re done playing, what do you see yourself doing? What kind of things do you aspire to?”He continued: “There were a million different reasons in their evaluation. But one of them was that they had an interview with LaMelo Ball during this process—trying to figure out, ‘Hey, is this the guy for us?’ And LaMelo… did not interview very well.And LaMelo said: “‘I want to be President of the United States’.”But in four of his first five seasons, Ball was limited to 51 or less games due to injuries, and the Hornets haven’t made it to the playoffs while he’s been there. In reality, there is little question the Timberwolves made the proper decision in selecting Edwards, regardless of Ball’s performance and goals off the court.This statement led the executives of the team to consider whether LaMelo would be a good fit for their long-term goals.Ball has had a great career to date, averaging 21.1 points, 7.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds, 3.1 three-pointers made, and 1.5 steals a game over his six NBA seasons. In 2020–21, he won NBA Rookie of the Year, and in his second season he was chosen an All-Star for the first – and only – time.He has averaged 23.9 points per game over his career, earning selections to the All-Star team three times and to the All-NBA team twice so far in his six years. But Edwards has also led the T-Wolves into successive appearances in the Western Conference Finals.LaMelo’s Hornets are one of the weakest teams in the Eastern Conference with a 4-7 record, whereas Minnesota is off to another strong start this season with a 7-4 record.LaMelo has emerged as a rising star in the NBA and was the eventual selection of the Charlotte Hornets. His ball handling and court vision have left many fans and critics alike impressed. But his story regarding the Timberwolves serves as a reminder that there can be so many unforeseen turns in the way to finally make it into the league.LaMelo Ball’s story and his interview with the Timberwolves show really clearly how individual characteristics and goals can influence team choices.Also read: LaMelo Ball’s fiery flair meets a costly twist as the Charlotte Hornets star’s net worth takes an unexpected hit