The NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award, long dominated by prolific bench scorers like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams, is undergoing a significant change. Crawford and Williams combined to seize the accolade six times with their scoring prowess. Historically, half of the past 20 recipients were the season's leading bench scorers. Yet, recent trends suggest a shift in the criteria for this prestigious honor, reflecting the evolving dynamics of modern basketball.
The 2022-23 season showcased this transformation vividly. Malcolm Brogdon clinched the Sixth Man of the Year despite finishing fifth in bench scoring. This marked a departure from the traditional emphasis on scoring that had previously shaped the award's winners. The trend continued with Naz Reid, who was ranked 12th in scoring among players who came off the bench at least 30 times. Reid's win is particularly noteworthy as it highlights the increasing recognition of versatile contributions beyond mere point totals.
Centers Making Their Mark
Naz Reid's triumph is also historic in another sense. He became only the third center in NBA history to receive the Sixth Man of the Year honor, following in the footsteps of Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom. Centers, typically not associated with bench scoring accolades, are gradually making their presence felt in this category. Reid's victory underscores a broader acceptance of diverse skill sets and roles off the bench.
However, the path to Reid's victory was not straightforward. As one analyst succinctly put it, "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." This comment underscores the contingent nature of Reid's success, hinging on specific team dynamics and circumstances.
The New Contenders
Looking ahead, several players are emerging as strong contenders for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Malik Monk has been pegged with odds of +575, while Naz Reid himself remains a favorite with odds of +700. Grayson Allen, not far behind, holds odds of +1000. These odds reflect the unpredictable and competitive nature of the award, with multiple players in contention based on their impact and contributions from the bench.
In New York, Josh Hart's role exemplifies the flexibility and multitasking expected from modern sixth men. Hart averaged just below 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the end of last season and upped his game to 46.4 minutes per game in New York's first nine playoff matches. Despite joking on Twitter that he is a "1-4, not a center," in reference to Mitchell Robinson's injury, Hart's diverse skill set allows him to adapt to various roles. "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything," another observer noted, highlighting the versatility demanded by coaches.
Tim Hardaway Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks is another name to watch, having historically garnered Sixth Man votes. The Mavericks' Jaden Hardy also earned playoff minutes in his second year, exemplifying the potential for young talent to rise in the sixth-man ranks.
Evolving Criteria and Future Trends
The criteria for the Sixth Man of the Year award are clearly evolving, reflecting the changing dynamics of the NBA. While prolific scoring remains a factor, versatility, adaptability, and overall impact on the game are increasingly being recognized. Players like Malcolm Brogdon and Naz Reid illustrate this shift, providing a broader understanding of what makes a valuable sixth man in today's game.
Ultimately, as teams continue to adapt and evolve, so too will the metrics and qualities valued in their standout bench players. With emerging talents and changing roles, the Sixth Man of the Year award will undoubtedly see more exciting developments in the coming seasons, adding new dimensions to one of the NBA's most prestigious recognitions.