We are witnessing a seismic shift in NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting, a testament to the evolving dynamics of the game. Historically, prolific scorers from the bench such as Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams were the archetypes for this prestigious accolade. The duo, who combined to win the award an astonishing six times, epitomized the traditional formula: scoring prowess and impactful offensive contribution.
Highlighting this point, half of the past 20 winners were the season's leading bench scorers. Yet, the narrative seems to be changing. Malcolm Brogdon's triumph in the 2022-23 season as the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year marks a notable departure from the norm. While Brogdon finished fifth in bench scoring for the season, it was his overall influence on both ends of the court that earned him the honor.
Naz Reid’s Unique Achievement
The most startling indication of this shift perhaps comes from Naz Reid’s victory. Despite being ranked 12th in scoring among players who came off the bench at least 30 times, Reid emerged as the winner. Reid’s feat is even more remarkable given that he is only the third center in NBA history to secure the award, joining Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom, who claimed the honor in the past two decades.
However, Reid's prospects of repeating his success are dimmed by the complexity of his situation. "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," a source indicated. This statement captures the precarious balance and fortuitous circumstances that contributed to Reid's award-winning 2022-23 season.
Player Minutes and Performance
Another intriguing character in this evolving narrative is Josh Hart. Hart drew considerable attention with his extraordinary playing time, averaging just below 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the end of last season. Even more astonishing, he maintained an average of 46.4 minutes per game in New York's first nine playoff games. Despite his substantial involvement, some analysts remain skeptical about his role and efficacy in New York’s star-studded lineup. "Ultimately I just think there are too many mouths to feed in New York," an expert opined, underscoring the challenges that could impede Hart’s chances of becoming a leading Sixth Man candidate.
Adding humor to the discussion, Hart remarked on Twitter, “I am a 1-4, not a center,” referring to news that Mitchell Robinson might miss the start of the season. Yet, as Tom Thibodeau’s multifaceted player, Hart may be tasked with "doing center things," a reflection of Thibodeau's reliance on versatile players to fill diverse roles.
The Betting Landscape
As the new season approaches, speculation is rife, and the betting landscape reflects the competitive environment for the Sixth Man award. Malik Monk leads the odds at +575, followed by current holder Naz Reid at +700, and Grayson Allen at +1000. The variance in candidates with such close odds underscores the unpredictability and the wide-open nature of this year's race.
Emerging Contenders
Jaden Hardy of the Mavericks and Tim Hardaway Jr. add another layer of intrigue. Hardy earned valuable playoff minutes in his second year, suggesting a potential trajectory toward greater recognition. Moreover, Tim Hardaway Jr., a perennial presence in Sixth Man discussions in Dallas, remains a relevant figure in this evolving storyline.
As the criteria for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year continues to evolve, it is clear that versatility, impact, and perhaps a touch of luck are becoming increasingly pivotal. The shifting landscape signals that future winners may possess a diverse array of skills, reshaping our understanding of what it means to be the league's top reserve player.