The NBA Sixth Man of the Year award has long recognized the league's most impactful players off the bench. Traditionally, this accolade has been the domain of prolific scorers like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams, who together claimed the honor six times. Their high-scoring exploits from the sidelines set the precedent for what it meant to be the Sixth Man. However, recent trends suggest a paradigm shift in how voters assess candidates for this prestigious award.
A Changing Criterion
Historically, leading bench scorers dominated the Sixth Man of the Year discussions. Indeed, half of the past 20 winners of the award were the season's leading bench scorers. This trend seemed unshakeable until the 2022-23 season brought unexpected changes. Malcolm Brogdon clinched the award, despite finishing fifth in bench scoring. This indicated that voters might be valuing other contributions beyond just points.
A more startling shift was evident with Naz Reid's victory. Reid, a center, ranked 12th in scoring among players who came off the bench at least 30 times. Despite his relatively modest scoring numbers, Reid became only the third center in NBA history to win the award. Reflecting on Reid's triumph, one analyst noted, "For Reid to win again, you're relying on either Rudy Gobert or Karl-Anthony Towns to get injured again, for Reid to thrive again, and for the field to be as weak or weaker than it was a year ago."
Centers Making Their Mark
Reid joins an exclusive club of centers who have earned the Sixth Man of the Year recognition, following Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom in the past two decades. This highlights how centers are increasingly being acknowledged for their crucial roles off the bench. Reid's success could potentially inspire a reevaluation of what makes a Sixth Man impactful, emphasizing versatility and the ability to adapt to multiple roles.
High Minutes, High Impact
Josh Hart also encapsulated this versatility. Despite joking on Twitter that he's "a 1-4, not a center" amidst the news of Mitchell Robinson's early season unavailability, Hart's playtime statistics tell their own story. From February 1 through the season's end, Hart averaged just below 40 minutes per game. His role amplified during the playoffs, where he logged an astonishing 46.4 minutes per game in New York's first nine games. This level of endurance and contribution could set new benchmarks for future Sixth Man candidates.
Contenders for the Coming Season
As the new season unfolds, several players are positioning themselves as top contenders for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Malik Monk holds odds of +575, making him a strong front-runner. Naz Reid, fresh off his recent win, stands at +700, while Grayson Allen comes in at +1000. Dallas Mavericks' Jaden Hardy, having earned playoff minutes in his second year, and Tim Hardaway Jr., who has historically garnered Sixth Man votes, also remain watched figures in the race.
Yet, the Knicks present a unique scenario. As one commentator observed, "Ultimately I just think there are too many mouths to feed in New York." The distribution of responsibilities and minutes among their many versatile players might dilute any single player's impact on the bench, potentially affecting their Sixth Man candidacy.
The evolving criteria for the Sixth Man of the Year award suggest that it is no longer sufficient to simply be the highest scorer off the bench. As the game changes, so too does recognition of those who impact it in myriad ways. Whether through a center's defensive skills or a guard's versatility in playing heavy minutes, these shifts underscore a deeper appreciation for multifaceted contributions – promising an exciting narrative for every basketball enthusiast watching this evolving landscape.