The NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award has long been associated with high-scoring, dynamic players coming off the bench to provide a significant offensive spark. This year, however, the landscape of the award is experiencing a dramatic shift as the criteria for selection evolves along with the game's changing dynamics.
Evolution of the Award
Historically, the award has been dominated by prolific bench scorers like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams. Together, Crawford and Williams have captured the award six times, epitomizing the archetype of the bench scorer. Across the past two decades, half of the winners were the season's leading bench scorers, solidifying the award's reputation as a scorer's accolade.
Yet, in the 2022-23 season, a notable deviation occurred. Malcolm Brogdon clinched the Sixth Man of the Year award despite finishing fifth in bench scoring for the season. This was a precursor to a more seismic shift seen with Naz Reid's recognition. Reid's victory stands out not merely because he ranked 12th in bench scoring among players who appeared off the bench at least 30 times, but because he became only the third center in NBA history to win the award. Previously, only Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom had achieved this feat in the past two decades.
Naz Reid's Impact
Reid's award-winning season came under unique circumstances. His success relied partly on the unfortunate injuries of key players Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, which provided him the opportunity to thrive. As one analyst 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 underscores the critical role that context and opportunity play in the new landscape of the Sixth Man of the Year award.
Changing Dynamics in New York
Another notable figure in the sixth man conversation is Josh Hart. From February 1 through the end of last season, Hart averaged just below 40 minutes per game, showcasing his versatility and stamina. In New York's first nine playoff games, he pushed this even further, averaging an impressive 46.4 minutes per game. Despite this, some doubt his ability to consistently impact the game in the same way. "Ultimately I just think there are too many mouths to feed in New York," one commentator observed.
Adding to the intrigue, Hart himself joked on Twitter about his positional versatility, stating, "I am a 1-4, not a center," in response to the news that Mitchell Robinson would not be ready for the start of the season. This prompted further speculation about his role, with some suggesting that under coach Tom Thibodeau, Hart might be asked to take on even more responsibilities. "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything," another analyst quipped.
Race for the Upcoming Season
The shifting criteria and emerging narratives have made the race for the upcoming Sixth Man of the Year award particularly compelling. As it stands, Malik Monk is a favorite with odds of +575. He is followed closely by the reigning winner, Naz Reid, who holds odds of +700, and Grayson Allen, who comes in with odds of +1000. Meanwhile, players like the Mavericks' Jaden Hardy, who earned playoff minutes in his second year, and Tim Hardaway Jr., who has historically garnered votes for the award, remain outside bets.
As the dynamics of the NBA continue to evolve, so too does the criteria for its accolades. The Sixth Man of the Year award is no longer just about scoring prowess off the bench. Versatility, context, and situational opportunities are proving to be just as crucial in the evaluative process. This shift reflects a broader trend in basketball, where adaptability and the ability to thrive in varied roles increasingly define a player's value.