The NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award has always celebrated the league’s most impactful bench players. Traditionally, this accolade has honored prolific scorers who electrify games with their offensive prowess. Icons like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams epitomize this mold, collectively securing the award six times between them, both leading the league in bench scoring during their respective heydays.
However, recent seasons have indicated a shift in how voters determine the winner of this coveted prize. The dynamics of the game, along with evolving team strategies, are leading to more diverse criteria beyond mere scoring. This change was remarkably evident in the 2022-23 season when Malcolm Brogdon won the award despite finishing fifth in bench scoring. Similarly, the victory of Naz Reid, who ranked 12th in scoring among players who came off the bench at least 30 times, underscores the broader evaluation parameters now in play.
A New Era for Big Men Off the Bench
Naz Reid's win marks a significant moment in the history of the award as he becomes only the third center to claim the title since its inception. Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom are the only other centers to have won in the past two decades. The success of Reid indicates that bench impact is increasingly recognized through defense, versatility, and overall contribution to the team's success, rather than solely offensive output.
One analyst noted, "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 highlights the intricacies and luck involved in Reid's pathway to the award, emphasizing the deeper consideration voters are now giving to the unique contexts within which players operate.
The Josh Hart Phenomenon
Josh Hart’s performance toward the end of last season also exemplifies this broader view of contribution. Hart averaged just below 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the end of the last regular season and saw an increase to an impressive 46.4 minutes per game in New York's first nine playoff games. Renowned for his versatility, Hart humorously acknowledged his non-traditional role on Twitter, stating he is "a 1-4, not a center" in light of reports about Mitchell Robinson's absence at the season’s start. Despite these jokes, it's evident that his adaptability makes him an indispensable asset to his team, with Tom Thibodeau’s coaching style further pushing him into diverse roles: "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything."
Odds and Predictions
The upcoming season already features a competitive field for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Malik Monk currently holds odds of +575, positioning him as one of the front-runners. Following closely is Naz Reid at +700, while Grayson Allen, an emerging contender, sits at +1000. As teams refine their rotations and bench players continue to adapt their roles, the landscape for the award remains dynamic and uncertain.
Other noteworthy mentions include Jaden Hardy, whose performance with the Dallas Mavericks earned him significant playoff minutes in just his second year. Additionally, Tim Hardaway Jr., a consistent name in Sixth Man votes, further demonstrates the Mavericks' depth and the importance of having reliable bench strength.
This evolving notion of what constitutes an outstanding sixth man reflects broader changes in basketball philosophy. Teams are valuing multifaceted contributions over traditional scoring metrics, and the role of analytics continues to shape award voting. As the new season approaches, it will be intriguing to see which player best adapts to these changing criteria and claims the prestigious Sixth Man of the Year award.