In a landscape where the criterion for NBA Sixth Man of the Year is undergoing a transformation, the lineage of prolific bench scorers like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams—who together hoisted the trophy six times—serves as an interesting backdrop. With half of the past 20 Sixth Man winners capturing the award as the leading bench scorers of their seasons, the trend seemed predictable. But this predictability is fading.
The Rise of Versatile Bench Players
For the 2022-23 season, Malcolm Brogdon's victory was a marker of this paradigm shift. Despite finishing fifth in bench scoring, his contributions across various facets of the game garnered enough support for the award. But even more remarkable was Naz Reid's breakthrough win. Reid, positioned 12th in bench scoring among peers who made at least 30 appearances off the pine, signals a new era where versatility and multifaceted contributions are taking precedence over sheer scoring prowess.
Reid’s accomplishment is not just a personal milestone. It makes him the third center in NBA history to be named Sixth Man of the Year, joining Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom, who captured the honor in the past two decades. With such precedent, it becomes clear that the selection criteria are expanding to value more than just a scoring touch.
Competition and Challenges
"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," an observer notes. The competitive environment is indeed fraught with challenges. As teams grow deeper and manage their rotations more meticulously, carving out an award-winning bench role requires more than opportunism—it demands adaptability and consistent impact.
Interestingly, the Knicks’ Josh Hart adds another layer to the narrative. Averaging just shy of 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the season's end, and an astonishing 46.4 minutes across New York's first nine playoff clashes, Hart’s role stretched far beyond typical bench duties. Despite joking on Twitter that he is a "1-4, not a center," in light of Mitchell Robinson's unavailability, Hart’s versatility became a crucial asset.
"Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything," another source states, highlighting the multidimensional role Hart fulfills for the Knicks.
Odds and Projections
As the current season evolves, betting lines reflect the uncertainties and potential shake-ups in the Sixth Man race. Malik Monk stands with odds of +575, making him one of the favorites. Meanwhile, Naz Reid, despite his recent triumph, holds odds of +700, signaling that his repeat win is contingent on several variables aligning in his favor. Grayson Allen, at +1000, rounds out the list of notable contenders.
Another rising star quietly making waves is the Mavericks' Jaden Hardy, who earned critical playoff minutes in just his second year—a promising indicator of future Sixth Man candidacies. Tim Hardaway Jr. continues to have a legacy of drawing Sixth Man votes in Dallas, reflecting his impactful performances off the bench.
As we watch this season unfold, the evolving criteria and the shifting dynamics of bench roles promise compelling narratives and unprecedented victories. The discourse around the award is no longer just a tally of points but a deeper appreciation of how these players shape their teams' success from the shadows.