Los Angeles Clippers big man Montrezl Harrell won the NBA's Hustle Award for the 2019-20 season, though nobody seems to care much.
Harrell was trolled by fans despite the distinction, which “honors player that makes the energy and effort plays to help his team win throughout the season,” per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Clippers‘ Montrezl Harrell has won the 2019-20 NBA Hustle Award, which honors player that makes the energy and effort plays to help his team win throughout the season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 7, 2020
This award has been given to players in the last three years. Noted scrappers Patrick Beverley and Marcus Smart won the Hustle Award in 2017 and 2019, respectively, with Amir Johnson taking home the honors in 2018.
But NBA Twitter went wild after the announcement was made.
What the hell type of NBA Street 2 unlockable achievement is this https://t.co/pzIEEV8TFp
— 🦦✨America Is Musty✨🦦 (@DragonflyJonez) October 7, 2020
Uncle Dennis is somewhere on a private island with $100 million of unmarked Balmer Bills all for a 2nd-round exit and Harrell wins the hustle award??? https://t.co/OhTmMDtMMk
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) October 7, 2020
One such user even joked he won the same award in sixth grade basketball.
Aye I got one of these in 6th grade basketball. We the same @MONSTATREZZ https://t.co/U0AkoEEdOi
— Wagon (@9Bryaaan2) October 7, 2020
Others chided Harrell and the Clippers for their epic collapse at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.
NBA saw Montrezl Harrell get smoked by Murray and Jokic and gave him a participation trophy.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) October 7, 2020
Of course, Harrell was also named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year, and he is more than deserving of this award.
Harrell is one of the top rim-running bigs in the league, and he provides toughness on the defensive end of the floor. But the Clippers have been the subject of endless jokes and trolling after failing to advance past the Western Conference semifinals, and Harrell played a shockingly limited role in the playoffs.
The former Louisville product averaged over 10 minutes less in terms of playing time during the playoffs, despite the fact opposing bigs—notably Nikola Jokic—preyed on L.A.'s defensive frontcourt.
In any case, the attention will soon turn to Harrell's free agency. There have been indications a reunion with the Clippers is possible, though he will likely have a number of suitors.
For now, however, Harrell will continue to put up with the endless trolling.
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