The landscape of the NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting is undergoing a dramatic transformation, reflecting the evolving nature of basketball dynamics. Historically, the award has been dominated by prolific bench scorers like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams, who collectively have won the accolade six times. In fact, half of the past 20 winners were the season's leading scorers coming off the bench.
Changing Criteria for Sixth Man
Recently, the criteria for the award seem to be shifting. Malcolm Brogdon's coronation as the 2022-23 winner is a case in point. Despite finishing only fifth among bench scorers that season, Brogdon’s all-around contributions to the team earned him the accolade. This represents a departure from past tendencies, where sheer scoring prowess was often the deciding factor.
Naz Reid's Unconventional Win
Naz Reid's victory is another testament to this evolving criterion. Ranked 12th in scoring among players who came off the bench at least 30 times, Reid defied conventional expectations. He becomes the third center in NBA history to clinch the award, joining the ranks of Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom, who are the only other centers to have won it in the past two decades. This shift spotlights a broader appreciation for diverse skill-sets and strategic importance over traditional scoring metrics.
As one observer 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." These conditions underline the pivotal role of context and circumstance in Reid's remarkable achievement.
The Intricacies of Team Dynamics
Further complicating matters is the varying strategies employed by different teams. In New York, Josh Hart's situation exemplifies these complexities. From February 1 through the end of last season, Hart averaged just below 40 minutes per game and an arduous 46.4 minutes in New York's first nine playoff games. Despite not being a center, he has found himself filling the role in crucial moments.
As Hart humorously noted on Twitter, "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." Still, under coach Tom Thibodeau's directive, "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything."
Emerging Contenders
Looking forward, several players are emerging as potential contenders for the Sixth Man Award. Malik Monk stands out with odds of +575 to win, while Naz Reid has odds of +700, showcasing his increasing recognition despite previous unconventional qualifications. Grayson Allen follows with odds of +1000, indicating a competitive field that promises an exciting race for the coveted title.
Among other notable mentions, the Mavericks' Jaden Hardy earned playoff minutes in his second year, while Tim Hardaway Jr. has consistently garnered Sixth Man votes in Dallas. These dynamics suggest a broader pool of candidates, each bringing unique strengths and narratives into the mix.
As fans and analysts continue to scrutinize the evolving rubric for the Sixth Man of the Year, it’s clear that versatility, situational efficacy, and overall impact on team success are gaining prominence over sheer scoring ability. This paradigm shift not only expands the field of potential winners but also enriches the narrative surrounding one of the NBA’s most intriguing awards.