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'It's special': Damion Lee, former Suns wing Mikal Bridges finalists for NBA teammate award

duane rankin, arizona republic
·3 min read
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Suns guard Cameron Payne can see why his current teammate, Damion Lee, and former one, Mikal Bridges, are finalists for the 2022-23 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award.

“They’re people guys,” Payne said. “They’re the kind of guys who bring that same energy every day. Never too low, never too high. They kind of keep the gym inspired. D-Lee plays music every time he come in the gym. He’s like a voice of peace. Mikal, he’s always playful.”

Bridges played his first four full seasons with the Suns before being part of the Kevin Durant deal before the Feb. 9 trade deadline that sent him to Brooklyn. Lee is in his first season with the Suns.

“Those the guy kind of guys you need on your team to have that good chemistry,” Payne said. “They do a great job of that.”

Phoenix Suns players Damion Lee (10), Ish Wainright (12) and Deandre Ayton (22) help up teammate Mikal Bridges (25) after being fouled by the Brooklyn Nets at Footprint Center on Jan. 19, 2023.
Phoenix Suns players Damion Lee (10), Ish Wainright (12) and Deandre Ayton (22) help up teammate Mikal Bridges (25) after being fouled by the Brooklyn Nets at Footprint Center on Jan. 19, 2023.

The award “recognizes the player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on and off court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment and dedication to team.” It was established in 2013.

The other 2022-23 finalists are Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers), Udonis Haslem (Miami Heat), Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks), Derrick Rose (New York Knicks), Grant Williams (Boston Celtics), Harrison Barnes (Sacramento Kings), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies) and Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers).

“It’s special,” Lee said. “If you look at the guys on that list. Jrue, Steph, Dame, Mikal, D-Rose, guys that are well respected and known around the league as great dudes, first and foremost. Even just to be mentioned with those guys is huge and special.”

NBA players vote for the award.

“Leave it up to the rest of my fellow comrades on the voting and stuff,” a smiling Lee continued. “Just to be mentioned with those guys is a huge accomplishment. Just goes to show everything I’m about, but everything that people see what I’m about and what I can bring to a team with the energy and things of that nature.”

Suns point guard Chris Paul was a finalist for the award the two previous seasons. He finished second by 11 points to Lillard in 2020-21 season voting and fifth last season. Holiday won the honor for the second time last season. Here are all the previous recipients:

  • 2021-22 — Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee).

  • 2020-21 — Damian Lillard (Portland).

  • 2019-20 — Jrue Holiday (New Orleans).

  • 2018-19 — Mike Conley (Memphis).

  • 2017-18 — Jamal Crawford (Minnesota).

  • 2016-17 — Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas).

  • 2015-16 — Vince Carter (Memphis).

  • 2014-15 — Tim Duncan (San Antonio).

  • 2013-14 — Shane Battier (Miami).

  • 2012-13 — Chauncey Billups (Los Angeles).

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns' Damion Lee, Nets' Mikal Bridges finalists for NBA teammate award