We all know that there are good, better and the best players in NBA. We also know that there are some players that are really underrated or undervalued and just because they don’t start games, it doesn’t mean that they are not good enough. Those guys deserve more praise because when they step on the court, they make the difference and that is why every coach likes to have a ”sixth man” on their roster.The NBA organization recognizes their value and that is why we have the Sixth Man Of The Year Award.
Since the inception back in 1982-83, 30 different players have won this award. Jamal Crawford is the record holder with 3 awards so far.
Interestingly, there are two Hall Of Famers on this list: Kevin McHale (won this award 2 times) and Bill Walton who is also the only player that combined this award with the MVP Award.
Gordon is again among the top favorites to win the Award
Last year, the winner was Houston Rockets sharpshooter Eric Gordon. Eric is one of the favorites to win it again this year. His team is playing great, he is playing really well and there is no reason why he shouldn’t win it again.
Let’s take a look at his stats for this season: he averages 31 MIN, 18.2 PTS, 43% shooting from the field, 36% from the 3PT line and 80% from FT line, 2.5 REB, 2.2 AST and 2 TO’s per game. Those are strong stats but if you compare them to last years, they are a little bit worse.
Even though his percentages aren’t improving, his game in general is. He looks more confident and the rest of the team acknowledges that. In my opinion, he will finish 2nd in this years voting after Lou Williams.
Lou Williams nominates himself for the KIA Sixth Man of the Year Award
Lou Williams is my favorite and I have to admit that. Lou is playing like ”crazy” this year. On June 28, 2017, the Los Angeles Clippers acquired Williams, Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Kyle Wiltjer and a 2018 first-round pick from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Chris Paul.
For Lou, this was a perfect situation and he has the stats to back that. For many bookies and NBA fans around the globe, he is the number 1 favorite to win the KIA Sixth Man Of The Year Award. Even Williams has high praise for his game this year, saying that “there is no debate on who should win the Award.”
Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) says there's no debate as to who should win Sixth Man of the Year, and it's hard to argue with him on that. Lou is averaging 22.6 points and 5.3 assists per game. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/Rv7DTbl4WJ
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) April 7, 2018
Averaging around 33 MIN, 22.6 PTS, around 44% from the field, 36% for 3, 2.5 REB, 5.3 AST (career high), 1.1 STL and 3 TO’s per game and he also had a notable 50 PTS game against the GSW.
Next candidate on the list is Terry Rozier. Terry has a great session behind him so far. Following Kyrie Irving’s injury that will make him miss the rest of the regular season and the NBA Playoffs, he will have more minutes to prove that he is really good and if he continues to play like this Celtics fans will be very pleased. He isn’t one of the favorites to win this award this season, but he really stepped up his game and improved greatly and took the chance that he was given.
Season stats: 26 MINS,11.4 PTS, 40% from the field and also from the 3PT line, 77% FT, 4.6 REB, 2.8 AST and 1 STL and TO per game.
The last on the list of candidates that have a shot at winning the award is a backup PG from the Toronto Raptors, Fred VanVleet.The 24-year-old guard is proving in his 2nd NBA season that he can provide from the bench and that he is a perfect back up when Kyle Lowry needs to rest.
He is not a flashy player or a player that can score 30 PTS when needed, but he is a perfect rotation player. Season stats: 20.2 MINS, 9 PTS, 43% FG%, 42% 3PT%, 84% FT, 2.5 REB, 3.2 AST, 1 STL and 1 TO per game.
Honorable mentions for the KIA Sixth Man of the Year Award: Will Burton (DEN), Malcolm Brogdon (MIL), Jeff Green (CLE), Andre Iguodala (GSW).
