The NBA 'Bubble' Seeding-Game Awards

The NBA ‘Bubble’ Seeding-Game Awards

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 01: T.J. Warren #1 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against Al Horford #42 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at the Visa Athletic Center in the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 1, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images) /

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The NBA’s regular-season awards won’t take bubble performances into account, so we’ve created our own “Bubble Awards.”

When the NBA resumed play late last month, all regular-season awards voting had already come to a close. The league decided not to include bubble performances in award candidacy since it wouldn’t be fair to the eight teams that weren’t invited to Walt Disney World for the 2019-20 season restart.

That won’t stop us from creating our own “bubble” awards, though.

Since most teams have begun to rest starters with an eye on the playoffs, it’s safe to dole out these awards before the seeding games conclude. Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker will likely make a late push for bubble MVP, but beyond that, the leading candidates for each award have largely opened up an unconquerable chasm over their top competitors.

Let’s start with Rookie of the Bubble, featuring a breakout star who could soon become one of the biggest X-factors in the NBA playoffs.

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