We are witnessing a transformative period in the NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting. The evolving nature of the game itself is reshaping the criteria for this coveted award. Historically, the title largely went to prolific scorers off the bench, with stalwarts like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams defining the mold. The duo combined to win the award six times, epitomizing the traditional benchmarks.
In the past two decades, half of the winners emerged as the season's leading bench scorers, reinforcing the value placed on point production. Last season, however, the landscape seemed to shift. Malcolm Brogdon, who clinched the award in the 2022-23 season, broke from this tradition by finishing fifth in bench scoring. Even more compelling was the victory of Naz Reid, who ranked 12th among players with at least 30 bench appearances.
Naz Reid's win was particularly noteworthy for another reason—he became only the third center in NBA history to claim the Sixth Man of the Year honor, joining Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom. These developments suggest a broader consideration in the voting process, perhaps valuing overall impact and versatility over sheer scoring prowess.
Dynamic Shifts in Player Utilization
Josh Hart's recent performance exemplifies this trend. Hart, who averaged just below 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the season's end, and a staggering 46.4 minutes in New York's first nine playoff games, is a case in point. His versatility might redefine expectations for future candidates. "Ultimately I just think there are too many mouths to feed in New York," said an observer, commenting on Hart's intense utilization across multiple roles.
Adding to the complexity, Hart humorously noted on Twitter that he is "a 1-4, not a center," following the news that Mitchell Robinson would miss the start of the season. Yet, he acknowledged the multifaceted demands placed on him by coach Tom Thibodeau. "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything," he remarked, underscoring the high expectations for adaptability.
Future Contenders
The upcoming season is ripe with potential contenders for the award. Malik Monk leads the odds with +575, closely followed by the reigning champion Naz Reid at +700. Grayson Allen also stands as a formidable candidate with odds of +1000. The Dallas Mavericks' Jaden Hardy, who earned crucial playoff minutes in his second year, and Tim Hardaway Jr., a seasoned scorer who has historically garnered Sixth Man votes, add further intrigue to the race.
Discussing Reid's prospects, an analyst commented, "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 statement encapsulates the uncertain, almost whimsical nature of Reid's previous triumph amidst specific conditions.
The NBA Sixth Man of the Year award is clearly in flux, mirroring the sport's broader transformations. As the league evolves, so do the roles and responsibilities of its players, making room for a richer, more diverse criteria for recognition. The upcoming season promises to be a fascinating chapter in this ongoing narrative, with traditional expectations continually being challenged and redefined.