Bubble MVP, Booker or Lillard?
Now that the 8 seeding games are officially over in the NBA bubble, the league has named Damian Lillard the most valuable player, MVP for the pre-post season play. Many NBA fans believe that Devin Booker deserved the award.
The NBA restart was full of role players making big steps and showing that they can truly play at a high level. Players like TJ Warren, Michael Porter Jr., and Gary Trent Jr. have all shown a lot of improvement since March when the NBA was shut down.
The NBA All-Bubble Teams were also announced, and they were spot on with Booker and Lillard headlining the first team along with James Harden, TJ Warren and Luka Doncic. The second team consisted of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Caris LeVert, Michael Porter Jr. and Kristaps Porzingis. These players were the best of the best in the bubble, getting recognition from the NBA.
Damian Lillard surpassed previous performances and took his play to another level in the bubble, showing off his determination and grit, and making it impossible for opposing teams to shut him down. Lillard led the Blazers to a 6 and 2 record in the bubble, leaving opposing teams in awe as he lit up the floor scoring 154 points in his final three games. Lilliard finished the 8 seeding games averaging 37 points, 4 rebounds and 10 assists per game, shooting 50 percent from the field and 43% from deep. The Trail Blazers will face a tough first round matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James, but Portland might take an early series lead if the Lakers don’t take them seriously.
Meanwhile, Devin Booker put out an incredible performance in the bubble, leading the Suns to their 8 and 0 record. After dominating the seeding games, Booker will have nothing to show for it though, after coming up just short to make the playoffs. Booker was averaging 30 points per game, along with 5 rebounds and 6 assists with a shooting percentage of 50 percent. Booker’s incredible play is undeniable, and a playoff berth would have arguably won Booker the MVP award. Unfortunately for the Suns, they ended up a half game back of the Memphis Grizzlies for a spot in the play in game. This was an incredibly disappointing end to the season when they were just a jump shot away from their first playoff game in 9 seasons.
These two players have both given fans high intensity games to watch delivering high flying dunks and deep range bombs, and in fact both players have made a case for the MVP award. And while either would have been a great choice, after taking all things into consideration Damian Lillard deserves the NBA Disney land bubble MVP award just a touch more than Devin Booker. Although the award means nothing, it highlights that Damian Lillard has become a dominate player who can truly play at the highest level. We`ll see if Lillard and his team-mates can find the miracle that they need to pull off 4 wins against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of play-off action or if Lillard will need to wait till next season to showcase just what he is capable of.
This article is original content published by sports writer Matthew White. Please feel free to link to and discuss this article but do not copy content.
