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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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 01: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Pascal Siakam #43 and Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at The Arena 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 Ashley Landis – Pool/Getty Images) /

Defensive Player of the Bubble: The Toronto Raptors

Defense has largely been optional throughout the seeding games, as teams are routinely dropping 120-plus points in regulation.

Except when it comes to the Toronto Raptors, that is.

Even after their blowout 122-100 loss against the Boston Celtics on Friday, the Raptors are allowing a bubble-low 99.5 points per 100 possessions. The Phoenix Suns are second among bubble teams with 104.5 points per 100 possessions.

It’s impossible to dole out the defensive credit to one specific Raptor. Kyle Lowry is the pesky, charge-drawing point-of-attack bulldog. OG Anunoby is the lockdown wing defender. Pascal Siakam is the do-it-all unicorn. Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka add the rebounding and rim protection.

None of the Raptors are as defensively gifted as Giannis Antekounmpo, Rudy Gobert or Joel Embiid, but the whole is more than the sum of their parts. The chemistry they established throughout last year’s run to the NBA championship allows them to flummox opponents with head coach Nick Nurse’s ever-changing array of defensive formations.

ESPN’s Zach Lowe recently called the Raptors’ defense “the most exciting nerd thing in the NBA.” So rather than giving the Defensive Player of the Bubble award to any individual Raptor, the entire team gets it.

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