This year has been different for countless reasons, but a global pandemic that shut down the entire world has to be the most impactful. The COVID-19 pandemic has sent the entire country into chaos, including sports. However, the NBA managed to put together a plan involving a “bubble” in Disney World that players can’t exit. During the eight regular season games for each team, some players have had uncharacteristically good performances. We take a look at the players who have stepped up the most in Orlando.
Michael Porter Jr.
Coming out of high school, Porter was considered a lock to be a top 5 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury that forced him to miss all but three games of his freshman season and his entire rookie season. He ultimately slid to number 14 overall, where Denver took him. He had a decent rookie season, but he showed a lot of promise in the bubble. After averaging 9 points and 4 rebounds per game until the stoppage, Porter put up 19 points and 8 rebounds per game, as well as setting new career highs in both categories. He also used his three point shot more often. Before the bubble, the most threes he took in a game was 8. In Orlando, he shot 8 or more times from beyond the arc three times in seven games. If Porter reaches his full potential, he could be a star someday.
Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis has had a good season, but he took it to another level in the bubble. Back in New York, he more or less carried the Knicks, but in Dallas he plays second fiddle to the brightest young star in the NBA, Luka Doncic. Despite that, he’s still putting up good numbers and making important contributions on a contending team The former all star averaged 20 points and 9 rebounds per game before the pandemic, but in the bubble, he scored 30 points and grabbed 10 boards per game. He also set a new season high in points and rebounds, and tied his season high in assists. The Mavs have the task of facing the Clippers in the playoffs, but if Porzingis and Doncic can keep performing like they are, Dallas could pull off the upset of the first round.
T.J. Warren
T.J. Warren had been underrated for a while, but he never appeared to be much more than a role player. At least, that’s what the Suns thought when they traded him away for cash considerations. Warren had a good but not great year up until the hiatus, averaging 19 points per game. He was a key contributor on a contending Pacers team that was missing star shooting guard Victor Oladipo for most of the season. That was regular T.J. Warren. Bubble T.J. Warren is something else. He averaged 31 points per game to help the Pacers leapfrog the Heat and grab the 4 seed in the East. He also made his presence felt on the boards. He had 11 rebounds twice in six games, shattering his previous season high of 8. Whether or not this was a fluke, Warren certainly made a name for himself.
