NBA bubble awards

We take a look at the best performers in the NBA bubble and give out awards purely based on the restart.

2020 has been a surprising year. Sports got cancelled but have returned in August. With the NBA return, we’ve had more surprises as some players who weren’t well known before have made their mark. In light of the NBA returning, we decided to give out yearly awards to the best players from the bubble so far.

Most Valuable Player-Damian Lillard, PG, Portland Trailblazers

Photo credit: Steve Dykes

I know, most people believe TJ Warren of the Indiana Pacers has been the MVP so far but hear me out. Lillard is averaging 33 points and 9.5 assist per game while shooting 47.3% from the field and 38.5% from 3. On top of that, Dame is leading the Trailblazers to a 4-2 record in the bubble. The team is currently the 9th seed in the western conference and is a half game behind the Memphis Grizzlies who are 1-5 in the restart. The superstar point guard also drilled 11 three pointers as he scored 45 points to lead the Blazers over the Denver Nuggets, and dropped 51 points 2 games later in a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. That game was also his 10th career 50 point game, which puts him in company with the likes of Lebron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant and other legends. If Dolla Dame can keep his team moving and force a play-in tournament for the 8th seed, he will be the most valuable player in Orlando.

Rookie of the Year-Michael Porter Jr., SF, Denver Nuggets

Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy

Michael Porter Jr. of the Nuggets has been a big surprise in Orlando. People have been waiting for him to break out and does it in his 2nd year. Since he missed his first year, he counts as a rookie. Porter has had time to fully recover from a back injury and had the perfect opportunity to shine with starters Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, and Will Barton all out for the first couple of games. Since the restart, he’s averaged 25.6 points, 1 steal and block, and 10.2 rebounds per game as he’s shooting 53.6% from the floor and an astounding 42.1% from 3. His health and success has helped the Nuggets to a 3-2 record and a hold of the 3rd seed in the western conference and only 1 game behind the Los Angeles Clippers. Porter has been an excellent scorer since high school but was injured in college and most of his NBA career. The wait is finally over and he’s showing people that he’s worth the hype that’s been surrounding him.

Most Improved Player-TJ Warren, SF, Indiana Pacers

Photo Credit: NBA Entertainment

Although TJ Warren has arguably been the best player in the bubble, he’s my runner up for MVP but takes the MIP award. Before the shutdown, Warren has been a decent forward for the Phoenix Suns until he was traded last offseason to the Indiana Pacers for cash considerations. He was the same player for the Pacers as he averaged 18.7 points per game before the restart. His name was first starting to get around as he was involved in a scuffle with Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler in which he got ejected. As TJ went to the locker room, Butler taunted by blowing him a kiss and went after him in a post game interview as he says he can guard Warren but he can’t guard Jimmy. The Heat star continued as he called him soft and not even in his league and said to put someone else on him. Since the restart, the Pacers forward has made Butler eat his words as he became a household name. He’s averaging a stunning 34.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game as he is shooting 60.5% from the field and an amazing 55.5% from 3. Warren’s takeover has been key for the Pacers as he’s led them to the 4th seed in the eastern conference behind none other than the Miami Heat, who they play tonight for the 3rd seed. The small forward took over the bubble as he scored 53 points in the first game against the 76ers. Since then, he’s been on a scoring tear as he had 30+ points in every game except for one (which they lost). In his last game against the Los Angeles Lakers, TJ scored 39 points and even hit some clutch shots late in the 4th quarter to secure the 116-111 victory. Warren has led the team to a 4-1 record as he looks to get revenge on Jimmy Butler and to take his team to the championship.

Defensive Player of the Year-Rudy Gobert, C, Utah Jazz

Photo Credit: Rick Bowmer

Rudy Gobert is the only player on this list who is actually nominated for an award. Gobert has done his best to be a defensive stopper as he is averaging 2 blocks, 0.8 steals, and 12.2 rebounds per game (8.8 come from defense). Rudy’s best game came against the Grizzlies as he manage to put up 21 points, 3 blocks, 2 steals, and 16 rebounds as he helped the Jazz secure the win. Although the Jazz have a disappointing 2-4 record, they still have a hold of the 6th seed in the west as the French center has made sure to lock up the paint and force opposing players to shoot from the outside. Rudy was once the most hated man in sports due to him joking around and accidentally spreading the coronavirus and shutting the league down. Now he’s redeemed himself and looks as good as ever and is now shutting players down instead.

6th Man of the Year-Gary Trent Jr., SG, Portland Trailblazers

Photo Credit: NBC Sports

The Trailblazers have another award winner as Gary Trent Jr. has been a key player off the bench. Trent has been the spark plug from the 2nd unit as he’s averaging 18 points per game while shooting 53.7% from the floor and is launching an amazing 56.8% from 3 (he was even shooting 60% from 3 before his last game). Trent has been one of the best shooters in the bubble and is picking up after Dame when the bench unit comes on the floor. The backup guard knows how to hold it down for the starters and has been key for Portland’s success. With the star point guard and the rising star backup, the Trailblazers could get the 8th seed and make some noise in the playoffs.

Coach of the Year-Monty Williams, Phoenix Suns

Twitter Photo: @Suns

And the last and final award goes to head coach Monty Williams. Williams has been a decent coach for the Suns as the team had a hot start to the regular season. The coach carried that into the bubble as the Suns are the only undefeated team left with a surprising 6-0 record. Devin Booker has always been the star but Monty has gotten great play out of Cameron Payne, Deandre Ayton, and even Dario Saric. The Suns have beaten higher seeded playoff teams like the Dallas Mavericks, LA Clippers, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The first year coach has the team at the 10th seed, only 1 game behind the 8th seed and sits in prime position to force a play-in option with the Trailblazers and the Grizzlies. If he can keep his team running for playoff contention, there’s no doubt that he’s the best coach in the NBA bubble.