NBA
5 Greatest NBA 6th Men of All-Time + Fan Rankings
Create your own all-time rankings of the top 5 greatest 6th men in NBA history from Lou Williams to Jamal Crawford to Manu Ginobili
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Manu Ginóbili had the most memorable play of his career exactly 10 years ago on June 15, 2014 as the Spurs won their fifth Championship, so it’s a great time to look at the NBA’s five greatest 6th men ever with him highlighting the list.
Many championship teams are often defined by their superstars and primary contributors, yet the crucial role of bench players should not be underestimated. Since the NBA began tracking starters and bench players in 1970, numerous athletes have emerged as standout sixth men.
Transitioning from a starting role to coming off the bench isn’t always easy, as former starters like Carmelo Anthony can attest. However, those who embrace the sixth man role and provide a spark can significantly impact their team’s success on any given night.
In the 21st century, the competition for the Sixth Man of the Year award intensified, showcasing players who consistently contributed high-scoring performances despite not starting games. While not all of them secured championships, those on this list were impact players who played pivotal roles in their teams’ victories. Jason Terry, Eddie Johnson, and Vinnie Johnson are all worthy of receiving an honorable mention.
Here are the top 5 greatest NBA 6th men of all time. Create your own rankings below!
– Most PTS (13,051), AST (3,159), & GP (985) off the bench
– T-most NBA 6th Man of the Year awards (3) of all-time
– Most GP of 20+/30+/40+ PTS off the bench in NBA history
Not many athletes have a song dedicated to their greatness by one of the most popular artists ever but that’s how great of a 6 man Lou Will was. Known for his excellent ball-handling and dead-eye shooting, nobody provided a scoring spark off the bench like Williams, with the records to prove it.
Lou Williams’ all-time NBA ranks among players off the bench:
– 1st in career PTS (13,051), AST (3,159)
– 2nd in career FGM (4,205)
– 3rd in career 3PM (1,199), STL (783)
– Most career GP w/ 20+ PTS (213)
– Most career GP w/ 30+ PTS (32)
– T-most 6MOY awards (3) pic.twitter.com/IUhaBZhKMu— Best of Pro Sports (@pro_sports_best) October 28, 2021
– 3x NBA 6th Man of the year (t-most in NBA history)
– Oldest to win NBA 6MOY (36) or with 50+ PTS in 1 GP (39)
– Most 4PT plays (54) & career PTS (19,419) by a non All-Star
Jamal Crawford's NBA records off the bench:
– PTS (51) in 1 GP
– GP (377) of 100+ FT%
– GP (336) of 10+ PTS & 1+ 3PM
– T-most 6MOY Awards (3)
– 2nd most career PTS (11,279) https://t.co/XgtyPbNL0D— Best of Pro Sports (@pro_sports_best) June 30, 2022
– 4x NBA Champion | 2x All-Star | 2x All-NBA 3rd Team
– 2x finished top-10 in MVP | 2008 NBA 6th Man of the Year
– 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist | 2001 EuroLeague Champ
– 7x All-Star | 3x NBA Champion | 1987 All-NBA 1st Team
– 6x All-Defense | 2x NBA 6MOY (1st with consecutive)
– NBA 50th/75th Anniversary Teams | #32 retired by Celtics
– 1994 6th Man of the Year | 1999 NBA 3P% (.476) leader
– Most seasons (7) of 10+ PPG & 40+ 3P% off the bench
– T-most STL (843) & 3rd most PTS (11,147) off the bench
In the Curry family, most fans of today know Steph but are unfamiliar with how great his Father once was. Dell Curry set the tone for his family of hoopers as the NBA’s best bench player during the 1990s and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest Hornets ever thanks to his elite shooting and surprisingly crafty defense.
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