Who is the most important NBA player not playing in the bubble? That is a tough question, there are some important players not going to Orlando, Florida for the remainder of the NBA season.
We are just over two weeks away from the return of the NBA season and there will be some exciting games. All fans are anticipating the great battle between Kawhi Leonard’s Clippers and Lebron James’s Lakers, but there are some important players staying home this summer.
Here are the five most important NBA players who are choosing not to go to the NBA Bubble in Orlando, Florida.
- Thabo Sefolosha.
The Houston forward is not a star player by any means, but this past season Sefolosha has become an important member off the bench for the small ball Rockets. Sefolosha averaged 2.2 points and 2.3 rebounds and played in 41 of the Rockets 64 games this season.
Earlier this season on January 11th, Sefolosha scored nine points and made all three attempted three pointers while grabbing three rebounds in 15 minutes in a 139 to 109 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Rockets will for sure miss Sefolosha coming off the bench in the bubble.
- Trevor Ariza.
The recently turned 35 year-old Portland Trail Blazer Ariza averaged 11 points and 4.8 rebounds this past season. In the small forwards last NBA game on March 10th he scored 22 points and had six rebounds in a 121 to 105 win against the Phoenix Suns.
While it will be a long shot for Portland to go far in the NBA playoffs this season, it will be even harder without Trevor Ariza.
- Victor Olidipo.
The Indiana point guard has only played in 13 games this past season, but the potential of a healthy Victor Olidipo on a 39 win 26 loss team makes it bad news for the Pacers that Olidipo is opting out of going to Orlando. Indiana has one of the easier schedules in the bubble and could have the potential to upset a powerhouse Eastern Conference title contender.
- . Avery Bradley.
The Los Angeles Lakers have a lot of star power this season, but Avery Bradley will be missed on the court has the Lakers try to win the championship this season. Bradley started 44 out of 49 games for the Lakers this season and averaged 8.6 points per game.
It won’t be Bradley’s offense that Lebron and the Lebronette’s will miss in Orlando. Bradley is one of the games better defenders and the Lakers will miss a player who could help stop opposing offenses in the high-scoring Western Conference.
- Bradley Beal.
It is no secret that Bradley Beal carried the Washington Wizards team on his back all season. Beal averaged 30.5 points and 6.1 assists per game this past season. Beal was one of the NBA’s best players this past season and was on a disappointing Washington Wizards team with a 24-40 record.
With a season like this where the NBA is playing in a bubble after a four hiatus anything can happen. An upset type team has a really good chance of having success in Orlando. Especially with the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets closing practice, any team may have a chance. It is a shame fans will not see Bradley Beal ball out for the Wizards in the NBAs return.
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James A. Paxson
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