The NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award is undergoing a profound evolution, reflecting the shifting dynamics of the game. Historically, this prestigious accolade has been the domain of prolific bench scorers, with veterans like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams exemplifying this role. Crawford and Williams together captured the award six times, underscoring the traditional emphasis on offensive firepower from the bench.
In the last two decades, scoring has been a significant criterion, with half of the past 20 winners being the leading bench scorers of their respective seasons. However, recent trends suggest a more nuanced evaluation of what constitutes the league's top reserve player.
A New Era of Criteria
This shift was apparent when Malcolm Brogdon secured the award in the 2022-23 season, despite finishing fifth in bench scoring. Brogdon's win signaled a broader understanding of a reserve player's impact, transcending mere scoring numbers.
The most striking departure from tradition came with Naz Reid's win, marking him as the third center in NBA history to earn the Sixth Man of the Year title. Remarkably, Reid was ranked 12th in scoring among players who came off the bench at least 30 times, making his victory a testament to the changing metrics of success.
For Reid to win again, the stars would need to align in specific ways. A source familiar with Reid's situation said, "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."
The Role of Big Men
Reid's win also highlights the increasingly significant role of big men in the Sixth Man conversation. In the past two decades, only Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom have achieved this feat, emphasizing a pivotal shift in how bench contributions are perceived and valued.
In New York, Josh Hart's role has expanded significantly, averaging just below 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the end of last season and a whopping 46.4 minutes in the Knicks’ first nine playoff games. One insider humorously noted, "Ultimately I just think there are too many mouths to feed in New York." Hart, known for his versatility, even joked on Twitter Monday that he is a 1-4, not a center, in light of Mitchell Robinson's injury. "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything," another source quipped, underscoring Hart's multifaceted role on the team.
Emerging Contenders
Looking forward to the next season, several players are emerging as strong contenders for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Malik Monk currently holds odds of +575, suggesting significant confidence in his potential impact off the bench. Naz Reid, fresh off his groundbreaking win, holds odds of +700, positioning him as a frontrunner once again if circumstances align in his favor. Grayson Allen, with odds of +1000, is also a player to watch, indicating a competitive field for the coming season.
In Dallas, Tim Hardaway Jr. consistently garners votes for his performance off the bench, while the Mavericks' Jaden Hardy earned valuable playoff minutes in his second year, showing promise for future contributions.
Redefining Bench Impact
The evolving criteria for the Sixth Man of the Year award reflect a broader understanding of basketball excellence. It's no longer just about scoring; it's about overall impact, versatility, and the ability to fulfill various roles as needed. As the NBA continues to evolve, so too will the metrics and qualities that define its top performers, both on the starting lineup and coming off the bench.
The shift in Sixth Man voting underscores a more holistic approach to evaluating talent, ensuring that those who make significant contributions in varying capacities are recognized and celebrated. This season, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see who rises to the occasion, exemplifying the changing face of excellence in the NBA.