We are currently witnessing a seismic shift in the criteria for NBA's Sixth Man of the Year (6MOY) award, adapting to the league's inevitable evolution. Historically dominated by electric scorers from the bench, like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams—who together captured the honor six times—the award is expanding its ethos beyond mere scoring prowess.
In the past two decades, it’s notable that half of the 6MOY winners were the leading bench scorers of their respective seasons. Malcolm Brogdon broke this mold in the 2022-23 season by clinching the title despite finishing fifth in bench scoring. An even more striking example came the same season when Naz Reid captured the honor while ranked only 12th in scoring among players who came off the bench at least 30 times.
Changing Face of the Sixth Man
Reid's achievement marks only the third time a center has won the 6MOY award, with Montrezl Harrell and Lamar Odom being his only predecessors in the past twenty years. This shift suggests a broader appreciation for versatility and defensive impact, traits not traditionally spotlighted for this honor.
Analyzing Reid's win, one commentator pointed out, "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 insight underlines how specific circumstances and team dynamics can bolster a player's candidacy.
Rising Stars and New Contenders
Moving forward, several players are emerging as notable contenders for the 2023-24 season. Malik Monk, with odds set at +575, and Reid himself at +700, are high on the watchlist. The spotlight also falls on Grayson Allen, sporting odds of +1000, showing that bookmakers see a competitive race ahead.
Interestingly, Josh Hart averaged just below 40 minutes per game from February 1 through the end of the last season and escalated to 46.4 minutes per game in New York's first nine playoff games. Despite these staggering minutes, one source remains skeptical of Hart's chances, stating, "Ultimately I just think there are too many mouths to feed in New York."
Team Dynamics and Strategic Implications
Hart's role speculation took a quirky turn when he jokingly tweeted that he is a "1-4, not a center," referencing Mitchell Robinson's absence. One can't overlook Coach Tom Thibodeau's influence: "Tom Thibodeau is just going to make him do center things because Tom Thibodeau makes him do everything." This speaks volumes about Thibodeau’s strategic flexibility and his trust in players like Hart to fill any gap.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, Jaden Hardy garnered playoff minutes in his second year, underscoring the Mavericks' confidence in his potential. His teammate Tim Hardaway Jr. has been a consistent presence in the Sixth Man conversation over his career, suggesting that Dallas might yet be a fertile ground for another 6MOY contender.
As the conversation around 6MOY continues to evolve, it’s clear that the award is no longer solely the realm of high-volume scorers. The expanding criteria reflect a more nuanced view of what constitutes impactful play. This shift—from bench-scoring juggernauts like Crawford and Williams to versatile big men like Reid—signals a broader understanding and appreciation of the diverse contributions that bench players bring to their teams.