Indiana Basketball: Hoosiers in the NBA update – bubble edition

Indiana basketball has a bunch of alums in the NBA bubble. Here is a quick analysis of where each Hoosier participating in bubble stands.

Noah Vonleh: Vonleh is in the bubble with the Nuggets as he was traded from Minnesota to Denver four games before the season was suspended. In the 29 games he played with the T-Wolves, Vonleh averaged 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds. Not outstanding numbers by any stretch, but he could become a valuable bench piece for the Nuggets as they attempt to become a Dark Horse contender.

Yogi Ferrell: Ferrell’s Kings squeaked into the bubble and have little chance to make the playoffs as they are currently 28-36. Ferrell has been used sparingly by the Kings this past year but may see more time on the court in Orlando. He has averaged 4.2 points and 1.3 assists on the year.

Romeo Langford: Langford was beginning to assert himself in the Celtics rotation prior to the suspension. He has morphed into somewhat of a defensive specialist for the Celtics as he has matched up with players such as Lebron James in big-time games. He is expected to get big minutes in the bubble because Kemba Walker will need rest for his knee injury and Gordon Hayward may end up leaving the bubble to meet his first baby boy. You may be hearing more of Langford’s name this summer as the Celtics will be battling for an NBA championship.

Thomas Bryant: Bryant, fresh off a victory over COVID-19, will look to make a mark in the bubble with the Wizards. Bryant recently arrived in the bubble and is at 100 percent. He has been excellent for the Wizards this year averaging 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds. He’ll look to keep up the good form as the Wizards fight for the eighth seed.

Eric Gordon: Before the season was abruptly suspended, Gordon was in the process of coming back from a serious knee injury. The break gave Gordon extra time to heal up and now he says that he’s ready to go and that “the explosion is back”. Gordon will look to be a crucial piece to a Rockets team that will need some support from the role players to make noise in the playoffs. Gordon has had a good year up thus far, averaging 14.5 points.

Victor Oladipo: Oladipo’s participation in the festivities this year was initially up in the air. Oladipo has been in the process of recovering from a quad tear. He briefly returned to the Pacers lineup in March but was not at his best. When Oladipo arrived in Orlando, it was unclear if he was going to play. Despite the rumors to the contrary, the latest reports say that he will play. The Pacers will definitely be a force to be reckoned with when play resumes, however, the level that they ascend to is dependent on the play of Victor Oladipo.

OG Anunoby: The reigning champion Raptors were left with a Kawhi Leonard-sized hole on the wing after the two-time Finals MVP departed for LA. Anunoby has played a pivotal role in the filling of that hole. The “3&D” wing is performing at a career-high across the board. He is currently averaging 10.7 points, 5.4 boards and 1.6 steals for the year. The current two seed, the Toronto Raptors certainly have aspirations to go back to back. If the Raptors are to achieve their goals, Anunoby will have to continue to be superb on the wing.