NBA 6th Man of the Year Candidates

The German back-up point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder is having quite the year averaging 19 points on a career-high 46.8 FG% and 38.1 3P% this season. The last time Schroder averaged 19 points was two seasons ago with the Atlanta Hawks, but he wasn’t near the shooter he is now. He doesn’t have as big a role as he did in his Atlanta days, but he’s thriving as OKC’s 6th man.

When Chris Paul sits, Schroder runs the offense for the Thunder and has been exceptional all season. Schroder is one of four Thunder scoring over 17.5 PPG, showing the team’s balance in that department. Schroder essentially had negative value (with his $70M contract) at the time he was traded to Oklahoma City. However, now he’s one of the best values in the league with only 1y/$15M left on his deal after this season.

The most prolific bench scorer in NBA history is a leader in the race again this year, attempting to three-peat in an award that has never had a recipient win three consecutive times. If Lou Will achieves this unprecedented honor, his name would be cemented among the all-time bench players, if not THE greatest player to ever consistently come off the bench.

This season, Williams is the catalyst of a Clippers offense that heavily relies on him for bench production, and he has been terrific so far. Even with reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Paul George now on the roster, fans can still see Lou Will go to work when it matters most and constantly being trusted to take (and make) clutch shots. He’s not just a premier 6th Man of the Year candidate, but also one of the most underrated scorers ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMjiuEm6jtk

The most ironic aspect of this year’s 6th Man of the Year race is the fact that Lou Williams’ own teammate is one of his greatest competitors. Harrell is having a career year for the Los Angeles Clippers and proving to be one of the more elite bench players the NBA has seen in years.

Montrezl Harrell is averaging a career-high 19 points and seven rebounds as his brute force and dominance in the paint pay dividends for the Clippers. Harrell and Lou Williams could easily be starters and are typically closers, but instead, they form one of the most lethal bench duos in recent history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBl4pxzk22o

Also known as “The Dragon”, Dragic has been an excellent back-up option at point guard for the Miami Heat. Dragic is serving as the lead scoring contributor off the bench for Miami and has helped them reach the fourth spot in the East when not many people even expected the Heat to be much of a playoff threat before the season started.

The level of his production as a 33-year-old in his 16th season is why Dragic has earned a spot on this list. Many players are going under the radar in South Beach, but Dragic’s consistency and effectiveness off the bench have been huge components to their surprising success this season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzhf8teFU7s

When the Jazz traded Dante Exum and second-round picks for Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson, the Utah fan-base was excited. It has turned out to be an even better trade than it seemed like, as the Jazz have gone a terrific 18-7 since the trade.

Clarkson provides a dynamic scoring punch off the bench, averaging 15 PPG on nearly 47% shooting from the field. He has helped revitalize a Utah bench that was one of the worst second-units in the league before his arrival. Clarkson’s addition gives Utah real aspirations of putting together a surprise Playoff run. Although the latest Coronavirus circumstances might have altered their trajectory.

The most prolific bench scorer in NBA history is a leader in the race again this year, attempting to three-peat in an award that has never had a recipient win three consecutive times. If Lou Will achieves this unprecedented honor, his name would be cemented among the all-time bench players, if not THE greatest player to ever consistently come off the bench.

This season, Williams is the catalyst of a Clippers offense that heavily relies on him for bench production, and he has been terrific so far. Even with reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Paul George now on the roster, fans can still see Lou Will go to work when it matters most and constantly being trusted to take (and make) clutch shots. He’s not just a premier 6th Man of the Year candidate, but also one of the most underrated scorers ever.

The German back-up point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder is having quite the year averaging 19 points on a career-high 46.8 FG% and 38.1 3P% this season. The last time Schroder averaged 19 points was two seasons ago with the Atlanta Hawks, but he wasn’t near the shooter he is now. He doesn’t have as big a role as he did in his Atlanta days, but he’s thriving as OKC’s 6th man.

When Chris Paul sits, Schroder runs the offense for the Thunder and has been exceptional all season. Schroder is one of four Thunder scoring over 17.5 PPG, showing the team’s balance in that department. Schroder essentially had negative value (with his $70M contract) at the time he was traded to Oklahoma City. However, now he’s one of the best values in the league with only 1y/$15M left on his deal after this season.

The most ironic aspect of this year’s 6th Man of the Year race is the fact that Lou Williams’ own teammate is one of his greatest competitors. Harrell is having a career year for the Los Angeles Clippers and proving to be one of the more elite bench players the NBA has seen in years.

Montrezl Harrell is averaging a career-high 19 points and seven rebounds as his brute force and dominance in the paint pay dividends for the Clippers. Harrell and Lou Williams could easily be starters and are typically closers, but instead, they form one of the most lethal bench duos in recent history.

Also known as “The Dragon”, Dragic has been an excellent back-up option at point guard for the Miami Heat. Dragic is serving as the lead scoring contributor off the bench for Miami and has helped them reach the fourth spot in the East when not many people even expected the Heat to be much of a playoff threat before the season started.

The level of his production as a 33-year-old in his 16th season is why Dragic has earned a spot on this list. Many players are going under the radar in South Beach, but Dragic’s consistency and effectiveness off the bench have been huge components to their surprising success this season.

When the Jazz traded Dante Exum and second-round picks for Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson, the Utah fan-base was excited. It has turned out to be an even better trade than it seemed like, as the Jazz have gone a terrific 18-7 since the trade.

Clarkson provides a dynamic scoring punch off the bench, averaging 15 PPG on nearly 47% shooting from the field. He has helped revitalize a Utah bench that was one of the worst second-units in the league before his arrival. Clarkson’s addition gives Utah real aspirations of putting together a surprise Playoff run. Although the latest Coronavirus circumstances might have altered their trajectory.