NBA: Early 2016-17 Sixth Man Of The Year Candidates
Nov 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) handles the ball against against New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the second half at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beats the New Orleans Pelicans in overtime 93-89. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
With the 2016-17 NBA season a little more than a month old, we look at five of the early Sixth Man of the Year candidates
Having valuable players on your second unit is one of the most important parts of an NBA team. Every year a player is awarded the Sixth Man of the Year trophy for being consistently great off the bench.
In recent years, Jamal Crawford has been one of the best players in this role, even when he doesn’t win the award. He’s won it three times, which is the most in NBA history. This season, he is still productive on the second unit but not as much as we’re accustomed to, which is why he did not make the list.
This award isn’t handed to just anybody. Most of the time, it’s not just the player who has to be good, it’s his team also.
Here are the five best Sixth Man of the Year candidates through the first month of the season.
Nov 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Channing Frye (8) drives past Boston Celtics forward Gerald Green (30) during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Honorable Mention: Channing Frye, Cleveland Cavaliers
2016-17 Stats: 10.8 points, 48% 3-PT
Cleveland Cavaliers reserve Channing Frye gets the nod for honorable mention over Jamal Crawford right now.
Frye has been great and the Cavs have the best record in the Eastern Conference (third in the NBA). Frye isn’t going to turn many heads with his athleticism or his stature, however, he consistently gets the job done – sometimes, and then some.
In his 11th season in the NBA, Frye is averaging 11 points and shooting a whopping 48 percent from three-point range.
Jan 3, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Louis Williams (23) and guard Jordan Clarkson (6) react during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
5. Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles Lakers
2016-17 Stats: 15 points, 3 rebounds, 45% FG
New to this bench role is Jordan Clarkson of the Los Angeles Lakers. The key with Clarkson is that he’s been scoring the ball the same way he always has this season, starting or not.
The Lakers are currently a half game behind the Portland Trail Blazers for the 8th seed in the Western Conference and he’ll have to keep this level of play up if the Lakers are going to make a return to the playoffs this season.
So far so good.
Nov 28, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) drives to the basket past New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
4. Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City Thunder
2016-17 Stats: 13 points, 6 rebounds
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Enes Kanter is a nightmare matchup for defenders. His offensive talent is remarkable and you could only imagine what he would do in a starting role.
Even though he isn’t under much pressure to produce for the Thunder, Kanter still averages nearly 13 points and six boards per game. On the occasion, Kanter will have a 20 and 10 performance to remind us all just how talented he truly is.
Nov 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Lou Williams (23) drives the ball defended by Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Lakers won 117-97. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
3. Lou Williams
2016-17 Stats: 17 points, 45% FG, 22.88 PER
Lou Williams is no stranger to the Sixth Man of the Year award. He took home the honor in 2014-15 when he played for the Toronto Raptors. He then went on to sign with the Lakers last summer.
Williams is the second Laker on this list and this can attest to the great job that Luke Walton has done as their new head coach. If the Lakers can stay afloat in the danger waters that is the Western Conference, he may capture it a second time and possibly join the list of the other four players who have won it multiple times.
Lou Williams is averaging 17 points per game this year.
Nov 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Nuggets defeated the Suns 118-114. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2. Wilson Chandler
2016-17 Stats: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 47% FG
Wilson Chandler hasn’t lost a step since missing the entire 2015-16 season after undergoing successful hip surgery. After coming into the season as a bit of a question mark, Chandler has become a consistent producer for the Nuggets.
He’s always been a good scorer – he’s actually having a career year in that category – and he’s proving that he still is. Chandler is averaging 18 points and nearly eight rebounds per game. He’d actually be higher on this list if his team was over .500.
Nov 18, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) yells at the officials during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
1. Zach Randolph
2016-17 Stats: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 48% FG
This was a change to the Grizzlies rotation that no one saw coming, but it was a smart move by Memphis coach David Fizdale.
Zach Randolph has basically been a starter since2003-04 and 13 seasons later, he finds himself being a major factor in the Grizzlies second unit.
In only 22 minutes per game, Randolph is averaging 14 points and eight rebounds. The days of Randolph making an all-star team may be over, but he can still play like one in limited minutes.
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