Our NBA bubble awards: Crowning the small sample size winners

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 06: Gary Trent Jr. #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrates a three point basket against the Denver Nuggets with teammates Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 06, 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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Coach of the Bubble – Monty Williams

Honorable Mentions: Nick Nurse, Nate McMillan, Jacque Vaughn, Terry Stotts

While it is hard to quantify much coaching excellence over a short span the leap the Suns have made has to be recognized. Monty Williams has the team on their longest winning streak in a decade. For a team that was mocked for even being invited to the bubble winning every game there is astounding.

This team has treated every game like the last game of their lives and they have been prepared for everything set in front of them. They won close games against the Dallas Mavericks and the LA Clippers, both of which were trying to win the game (a rarity for the latter team). They knocked off the Pacers in the T.J. Warren revenge game, holding him to only 16 points (7-20 from the field).

Related Story. 25 best players to play for the Phoenix Suns. light

When you look at teams like the Pelicans and the Kings who were in better positions with teams that many deemed better the comparison is stark. Alvin Gentry was fired Saturday afternoon. The Kings alluded to the fact that Luke Walton did not have them prepared as well.

For a young team without any past success, this is beautiful to see. There will always be jokes about the ownership, cash considerations and passing on Luka Doncic. But Monty Williams has done wonders for the young stars. He has helped mold Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson.

Heck, even Cameron Payne is a redemption story that no one saw coming. Monty Williams has done a masterful job. They dug themselves too much of a hole in the regular season but an 8-0 bubble run and missing out on the play-in by percentage points is still a heck of a run.