We are witnessing a seismic shift in NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting, as the criteria for the award morph with the evolving dynamics of the game. Traditionally, this accolade has honored prolific scorers emerging from the bench, with luminaries like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams defining the role through their offensive prowess. Indeed, Crawford and Williams have collectively secured the honor six times, underscoring a historical bias towards bench scorers.
Half of the past 20 winners of the award were the season's leading bench scorers, a trend seemingly etched in stone. Yet recent developments suggest a broader set of attributes is now being considered.
Changing of the Guard
Malcolm Brogdon, who clinched the award in the 2022-23 season, epitomizes this transformation. Despite finishing fifth in bench scoring for the season, his holistic contributions to the Boston Celtics' success landed him the coveted title. This marks a notable departure from the historical emphasis on raw scoring numbers.
Even more striking is Naz Reid's triumph. Ranked a modest 12th in scoring among players who came off the bench at least 30 times, Reid's performance defied conventional wisdom. Notably, Reid is the third center in NBA history to win the award, joining Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom. His victory signals a broader recognition of impactful play beyond just filling the stat sheet.
Josh Hart's Versatility
Josh Hart's recent journey further illustrates the evolving narrative. Averaging just below 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the end of last season, Hart's contributions transcended traditional positional roles. In New York's first nine playoff games, he pushed even harder, averaging 46.4 minutes per contest. Though Hart humorously remarked on Twitter that he is a "1-4, not a center," it's clear that under the guidance of coach Tom Thibodeau, he is expected to handle a plethora of responsibilities. "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything," highlights the demanding yet versatile role Hart has assumed.
The Future Contenders
As we look forward, the odds for future Sixth Man of the Year candidates reflect a diverse pool of talent. Malik Monk, noted for his explosive scoring ability, stands at +575 odds for the award. Naz Reid follows closely with odds of +700, a testament to his breakout potential. Grayson Allen, always a wildcard, holds +1000 odds. Each of these players brings a unique skill set to the table, hinting at the multifaceted criteria now in play for the award.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks present an intriguing subplot. Second-year player Jaden Hardy has already earned valuable playoff minutes, and Tim Hardaway Jr., a frequent Sixth Man frontrunner, continues to receive votes. Their performances could further shake up the emerging criteria for what defines the NBA's best bench contributor.
Injuries and Impact
For Naz Reid to duplicate his past success, several factors need to align. "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," sums up the precarious nature of his prospects. Indeed, the interplay of team dynamics and individual opportunity will be pivotal.
The evolving criteria for the Sixth Man of the Year award suggest a more holistic view of a player's impact, encompassing scoring, versatility, and overall contributions to team success. As these shifts continue to unfold, the landscape of bench roles in the NBA promises to be more dynamic and multifaceted than ever before.