It's tough to argue that anyone other than T.J. Warren deserves the title of the NBA bubble's breakout star. The Pacers' forward has averaged 31.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game on 57.8% overall shooting and 52.4% three-point shooting since arriving in Orlando, all of which are marked improvements over his statistics pre-coronavirus hiatus. Indiana has him to thank for their 6-2 run in the bubble's seeding games, though the Pacers lost their first contest against the Heat in the playoffs, 113-101.
However, another player is the top candidate for the bubble's brightest and most popular presence overall. Though 76ers rookie Matisse Thybulle and his wildly popular YouTube docuseries make a strong case, there's another player whose bubble spotlight is bigger -- literally.
The 7-foot-4, 290-pound Boban Marjanovic has always been a popular figure, but inside looks at the Orlando bubble and the ability to mic up players has allowed the big man's personality to shine brighter than ever before. It all started with a touching reunion between him and his longtime teammate and friend Tobias Harris.
It was a bittersweet sight, especially after the depressing note the two players left off on after Boban's short stint in Philadelphia came to an end.
But it's been less about his reunion with Tobi and more about just how well-liked he is by teammates, other players and fans. The mic'd up experience has done wonders for Boban's popularity, and everyone is thankful that they're finally able to hear just how entertaining the Serbian giant is.
Wednesday night, the Bobi show continued during and after the Mavericks' 127-114 defeat of the Clippers, in which the Marjanovic posted 13 points and nine rebounds in just 10 minutes. It was a significant game for the backup center, building upon his previous averages of just 6.6 points and 4.5 rebounds in a similar amount of minutes throughout the 2019-20 season. His performance in the paint was so good that arguably the most dominant big man in NBA history decided to bestow upon him a new nickname.
And of course, Boban obliged when Shaq requested the official debut of the nickname.
Even Boban's opponent, Clippers' forward Marcus Morris, couldn't resist letting the big man know just how awesome he is.
Morris isn't the first, and certainly won't be the last, to commend Boban for his personality. Among the others who have done the same, according to Tim Cato, are Gregg Popovich ("...you couldn't ask for a better professional, a better teammate..."), Mark Cuban ("He's immediately your best friend.") and, of course, Tobias Harris ("His personality, I think, is really his biggest thing.").
You can check out more tidbits from "You Rang's" memorable night on RADIO.COM Sports Dallas affiliate, 105.3 The Fan.
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