The landscape of NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting is undergoing a significant transformation, reflecting the evolving dynamics of the game. Traditionally, the award has been dominated by prolific bench scorers such as Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams, who together have clinched the honor six times. Half of the past two decades' winners topped the season's bench scoring charts, solidifying the notion that high offensive output was key to securing the prestigious award.
However, the 2022-23 NBA season marked a departure from tradition. Malcolm Brogdon earned the accolade despite finishing only fifth in bench scoring, a notable deviation from the typical preference for leading scorers. More striking was Naz Reid's triumph; ranked 12th among players coming off the bench at least 30 times, Reid's victory signified a broader interpretation of what makes a valuable sixth man. It's Reid’s versatility that likely caught voters’ attention, making him just the third center in NBA history to win the award, joining Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom, both notable winners in the past two decades.
Naz Reid's Unconventional Path
Reid's victory points to a shift in how voters assess impact over mere scoring prowess. A quote from an NBA analyst encapsulated the skepticism around Reid's back-to-back chances: "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 presence of Gobert and Towns indeed complicates Reid's path to repeated acclaim, underscoring the fluctuating and situational nature of his contributions.
Josh Hart’s Impact in New York
Meanwhile, New York Knicks' Josh Hart remains a player to watch despite not fitting the traditional mold of a Sixth Man candidate. Hart averaged close to 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the end of the regular season, an atypically high number for a bench player. His role expanded even further during the playoffs, where he logged a staggering 46.4 minutes per game in the first nine matchups.
The gritty utility player even took to social media to quip about his versatility, stating, "I am a 1-4, not a center," in response to news that Mitchell Robinson would be unavailable at the start of the season. Hart’s exceptional endurance and willingness to adapt, summarized by another commentator’s jest, "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything,” highlights his indispensability to the Knicks.
Future Contenders for Sixth Man
The upcoming season promises to keep fans on their toes regarding who will emerge as the next standout sixth man. Sacramento Kings' Malik Monk is currently listed with odds of +575 to win the award, while reigning winner Naz Reid has odds of +700. Another interesting contender is Grayson Allen, who holds odds of +1000.
In Dallas, the Mavericks continue to invest in their youth, with Jaden Hardy earning valuable playoff minutes in just his second year. Veteran Tim Hardaway Jr. also remains a contender, having historically garnered Sixth Man votes while in Dallas. These developing narratives portray a league still very much in flux regarding bench contributions and the criteria for recognition.
As the new season looms, it’s evident that the days of exclusive scoring dominance in the Sixth Man of the Year race might be behind us. The emphasis now seems to be shifting towards a more holistic view of what off-the-bench players contribute to their teams. Versatility, impact, and adaptability are increasingly weighed alongside scoring ability, setting the stage for increasingly diverse and exciting competitions in the years to come.