Worthy Sixth Mans of the Year by Lauren Beasley
The Sixth Many of the Year goes to the league's most valuable player who comes off the bench. Now to be honest this is one of my favorite awards for the main fact that this award goes to a play who is first willing to accept a role coming off the bench but at the same time play at consistent level to help their team.
Over the years we have had some great players win this award such Manu Ginobli, Lamar Odom and more.
Now this season at least in my mind the main person who deserves this award is James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Harden has easily been the third best player, and you could even make an argument for the second best, on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Harden is averaging 17.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. There is no question this man has rightfully earned this year’s sixth man award and I would be thoroughly surprise if he doesn’t win it this season.
Now of course there are a couple of other players I was impressed with this season, who I feel could have possibly won.
Next in line to win this award in my opinion, would have to be Lou Williams of the Philadelphia 76ers. He is the Sixers' leading scorer, averaging 14.9 points per game, and he's the only guy on their team who can create his own shot.
Then I would have to say Taj Gibson of Chicago Bulls. Gibson is like Harden, but on the other end of the floor. The Bulls are a great defensive team from top to bottom, but they're at their best defensively. He can guard multiple positions and has improved offensively from last season.
Then of course we can’t forget Manu Ginoboli of the San Antonia Spurs. Ginobili, a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate, might be the favorite if he hadn't missed 20 games this season. The Spurs have a 28-6 record with Ginobili in uniform and have scored a remarkable 118 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.
Lastly I have a couple other players who are least likely to really be considered but still were sixth mans to their team.
I will start with Jason Terry of the Dallas Mavericks. This year he's averaging 17.9 points per 36 minutes off the bench.
Probably the most underrated one of all is Al Harrington of the Denver Nuggets. Harrington is scoring 18.6 points and grabbing 8.3 rebounds per 36 minutes. He can guar multiple positions and can spread the floor offensively because of his ability to shoot from the outside.
Over the years we have had some great players win this award such Manu Ginobli, Lamar Odom and more.
Now this season at least in my mind the main person who deserves this award is James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Harden has easily been the third best player, and you could even make an argument for the second best, on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Harden is averaging 17.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. There is no question this man has rightfully earned this year’s sixth man award and I would be thoroughly surprise if he doesn’t win it this season.
Now of course there are a couple of other players I was impressed with this season, who I feel could have possibly won.
Next in line to win this award in my opinion, would have to be Lou Williams of the Philadelphia 76ers. He is the Sixers' leading scorer, averaging 14.9 points per game, and he's the only guy on their team who can create his own shot.
Then I would have to say Taj Gibson of Chicago Bulls. Gibson is like Harden, but on the other end of the floor. The Bulls are a great defensive team from top to bottom, but they're at their best defensively. He can guard multiple positions and has improved offensively from last season.
Then of course we can’t forget Manu Ginoboli of the San Antonia Spurs. Ginobili, a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate, might be the favorite if he hadn't missed 20 games this season. The Spurs have a 28-6 record with Ginobili in uniform and have scored a remarkable 118 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.
Lastly I have a couple other players who are least likely to really be considered but still were sixth mans to their team.
I will start with Jason Terry of the Dallas Mavericks. This year he's averaging 17.9 points per 36 minutes off the bench.
Probably the most underrated one of all is Al Harrington of the Denver Nuggets. Harrington is scoring 18.6 points and grabbing 8.3 rebounds per 36 minutes. He can guar multiple positions and can spread the floor offensively because of his ability to shoot from the outside.