The landscape of the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award is undergoing a significant transformation, reflecting the evolving dynamics of the game itself. Traditionally, the award was the domain of prolific bench scorers like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams, who have combined to win the award six times. Such players often led the league in bench scoring, with half of the past 20 winners securing their acclaim through their scoring prowess off the bench.
Malcolm Brogdon's victory in the 2022-23 season, despite finishing only fifth in bench scoring, signaled a shift in the voting criteria. Even more telling was Naz Reid's triumph, despite being ranked 12th in scoring among players who came off the bench at least 30 times. Reid's win marked him as just the third center in NBA history to claim the award, joining Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom, who achieved this feat in the last two decades.
This change in criteria suggests that voters are now considering a broader range of contributions beyond just scoring. Reid’s coup can be attributed to his all-around impact on the floor, a trend that may become more prevalent in future selections. But for Reid to replicate his success, as one quote puts it, "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." The landscape is competitive, and such winning conditions are far from guaranteed.
Competition Remains Fierce
Josh Hart provides a fascinating case study in this shifting environment. While Hart averaged just below 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the end of last season and an astounding 46.4 minutes per game in New York's first nine playoff games, his utility has become almost a running joke among fans and analysts. "Josh Hart joked on Twitter Monday that he is a 1-4, not a center, in light of the news that Mitchell Robinson will not be ready for the beginning of the season." Given Coach Tom Thibodeau’s penchant for demanding versatility, as one quote acerbically notes, "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything." While Hart’s minutes and ductility are critical to New York's strategies, there are "too many mouths to feed in New York" for him to emerge as a Sixth Man frontrunner.
Betting Odds and Rising Stars
In the betting world, Malik Monk stands out with odds of +575 to win the award, followed by Reid at +700, and Grayson Allen at +1000. While these odds provide a glimpse into potential favorites, it remains anyone's game. The Mavericks' Jaden Hardy, who earned playoff minutes in his second year, and Tim Hardaway Jr., who has historically garnered Sixth Man votes in Dallas, also add intriguing layers to the conversation. Hardaway Jr.'s experience could certainly play a pivotal role in an otherwise youth-laden Mavericks roster.
Future Implications
The evolving criteria for the Sixth Man of the Year award underscores a broader trend in the NBA: a shift towards valuing versatility and all-around contributions. While pure scoring remains a critical component, the ability to impact the game in multiple ways is gaining recognition. Naz Reid’s historic win as the third center to claim the award exemplifies this emerging paradigm.
Ultimately, as the league continues to evolve, so too will the definition of what makes a player the best sixth man. The new landscape could very well pave the way for more diverse and multifaceted candidates, altering the criteria and making the competition more unpredictable and exciting for fans and players alike.