We are witnessing a seismic shift in the NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting, as the criteria for the award evolve with the game's changing dynamics. Historically, prolific scorers from the bench like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams have dominated the award. Crawford and Williams combined to win the award six times, and half of the past 20 winners were the season's leading bench scorers.
However, recent results suggest that scoring is no longer the only factor being considered. Malcolm Brogdon's win in the 2022-23 season, despite finishing fifth in bench scoring for the year, was a clear departure from tradition. Even more surprising was Naz Reid's victory. Reid, ranked 12th in scoring among players who came off the bench at least 30 times, became the third center in NBA history to win the award. Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom are the only other centers to have won it in the past two decades.
Changing Dynamics
Naz Reid’s victory marks a significant shift not just because he was a center, but because his win wasn't predicated solely on scoring. It opens up the conversation about what makes a valuable sixth man in today's NBA. Reid's ability to contribute in various aspects of the game, rather than just putting up points, seems to be gaining appreciation among voters.
One analyst pointed out, "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 quote underscores the nuanced and situational nature of Reid's win. His performance was notably influenced by the dynamics within his team and the opportunities that arose from injuries to key players.
The New Contenders
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, various players are already being highlighted as strong contenders for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Malik Monk, for instance, has odds of +575 to win the award, while Reid holds odds of +700. Grayson Allen is also in the conversation with odds of +1000. These odds reflect a more diverse field of candidates who bring different skills and responsibilities to their teams.
In New York, Josh Hart's role is another point of interest. Hart averaged just below 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the end of last season and an astounding 46.4 minutes per game in New York's first nine playoff games. Despite his extensive playing time, there's skepticism about how effectively he can continue in this role. "Ultimately I just think there are too many mouths to feed in New York," an analyst noted, suggesting that Hart might not have the same impact this season given the team's depth.
Team Dynamics and Player Roles
Hart even joked on Twitter, "I am a 1-4, not a center," in light of Mitchell Robinson not being ready for the beginning of the season. Yet, as another commentator pointed out, "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything." This witticism highlights the complex and often unpredictable roles that players may find themselves in due to coaching decisions.
The Sixth Man of the Year award continues to generate discussion about what truly defines value coming off the bench. While scoring remains a significant factor, recent winners like Brogdon and Reid show that versatility and the ability to adapt to team needs are becoming equally important criteria. As the game evolves, so too does the recognition of the multifaceted contributions that bench players make.
The upcoming season promises to bring even more surprises and redefine expectations as we watch to see who will emerge as the next standout sixth man. Whether it's a scoring leader, a versatile defender, or a player who steps up in the face of team injuries, the award's evolving criteria are making it one of the most intriguing races to follow in the NBA.