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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NBA bubble (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Rookie of the Bubble – Michael Porter, Jr.

Honorable Mentions: Ja Morant, Bol Bol, Cam Johnson, Zion Williamson, Tyler Herro

As the perfect example of why it is worth taking a risk on a player in the late lottery with top pick potential. The medical history on Michael Porter Jr. was well documented. He had the potential of being a star if he could ever be healthy. He missed all of last season with those issues and was kept on the bench for much of the season while he earned Mike Malone’s trust.

Prior to the bubble, he had only started one game. Due to the extensive absences in their lineup to start the return of play Malone’s hand was forced. It has worked out for the best for Denver.

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Porter has averaged 22.0 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He is shooting 42.2 percent from long range on 6.4 attempts per game. He is evolving into an efficient stretch forward with the potential to be the best player on a team that also includes Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. Hitting on a pick like this at the end of the lottery is how good franchises become true contenders.

Morant has been slightly worse than the rest of his regular season but on a team that spiraled, it is hard to blame him. Bol Bol has shown flashes and been the biggest Twitter favorite this side of Boban Marjanovic. Cam Johnson and Tyler Herro have made significant progress growing into their roles. Zion Williamson looks like a future MVP if he can ever play more than 20 minutes per game.

Porter is the answer because he has the clearest impact on winning in this sample. For a team trying to find itself again as they slowly integrate people back into the lineup he has been as important as any Nugget.