We are witnessing a seismic shift in NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting, as the criteria for the award evolve alongside the game’s changing dynamics. Once dominated by prolific scorers from the bench—players like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams, who combined to win the award six times—the landscape is now redefining what it means to be the league’s top reserve player.
Historically, the Sixth Man of the Year award has been a showcase for bench scorers. In fact, half of the past 20 winners were the season's leading bench scorers. However, recent developments hint at a more versatile approach to evaluating a bench player’s impact.
A New Kind of Winner Emerges
The 2022-23 season marked a significant departure from the norm when Malcolm Brogdon, who finished fifth in bench scoring, took home the award. Even more surprising was Naz Reid's win, despite being ranked 12th in scoring among players who came off the bench at least 30 times. Reid’s achievement is notable, not just for his scoring rank but because he is only the third center in NBA history to capture the Sixth Man award, following Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom in the past two decades.
Reid's accolades underscore the evolving criteria for the award. As 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."
The Multifaceted Contributions of Josh Hart
Josh Hart's role with the New York Knicks is also a testament to these changing dynamics. Averaging just below 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the end of last season, and 46.4 minutes per game in New York’s first nine playoff games, Hart has proven his worth beyond traditional scoring metrics. Despite joke-tweeting that he is a "1-4, not a center," in response to news that Mitchell Robinson would not be ready for the start of the season, Hart's versatility becomes invaluable. "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything," further solidifying his multifaceted impact on the team.
Betting Odds and Future Contenders
The Sixth Man race remains compelling, not only for analysts and fans but also for bettors. Currently, Malik Monk holds odds of +575 to win the award, with Naz Reid close behind at +700 and Grayson Allen at +1000. As the season progresses, the field is expected to be as competitive as ever, with many eyes on emerging talents and consistent performers alike.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks see their own potential Sixth Man candidates. Jaden Hardy earned playoff minutes in his second year, while Tim Hardaway Jr. has historically been a recipient of Sixth Man votes. These contributions highlight the depth and talent found across the league, reiterating that impactful bench performance extends well beyond scoring alone.
The evolution of the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award reflects broader shifts within the league itself, where players' multifaceted skills and adaptive roles are increasingly celebrated. This dynamic landscape promises exciting developments and unpredictable outcomes for the season ahead.