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) /

2 of 7

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 03: Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound against Kevin Hervey #15 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 3, 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) /

Rookie of the Bubble: Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets

After missing his entire first NBA season to recover from a back injury, Michael Porter Jr. made a relatively inauspicious debut for the Denver Nuggets this year. Prior to the league’s shutdown in mid-March, he averaged only 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 14.0 minutes per game, as head coach Mike Malone was reluctant to hand him heavy minutes.

The Disney bubble has served as Porter’s breakout party.

After an 11-point clunker in a 20-point blowout loss to the Miami Heat, Porter reeled off four straight double-doubles with at least 23 points in each game. The highlight was a 37-point, 12-rebound eruption in an overtime win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but his 30-point, 15-rebound outing against the San Antonio Spurs two days later was equally breathtaking.

Porter’s full array of dizzying potential has been on full display in Orlando. His effortless three-level scoring is what made him such a high-reward prospect heading into the 2018 draft, but he’s showing far more commitment on defense and on the glass while playing a critical role for a Nuggets team vying for the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed.

Porter benefited from the absences of Gary Harris, Will Barton and Jamal Murray, as Malone had no choice but to unleash the rookie alongside All-Star center Nikola Jokic. Now that the genie is out of the bottle, Malone should keep Porter in his starting lineup even once Harris and Barton return.

Home/NBA