They are the spark of the bench, they shake the opposing second unit and they can turn a match on their own. You will understand, it’s time to talk about the best substitutes in the entire League: the candidates for the famous Sixth Man Of the Year. Jordan Clarkson had won the crown in 2021, what about this year? Let’s go for the first ranking of the season.
Statistics as of November 28
NB: as always when it comes to a ranking, opinions are opposed and it is complicated, if not impossible, to come out with a Top 10 that will convince everyone. To classify each other, we based ourselves on the stats, the collective assessment but also the feelings, because the figures are not everything in life. As always, a few small mentions not to forget the deserving friends and then we take the plunge.
Honorable mentions: JaVale McGee, T.J. McConnell, Terance Mann, Derrick Rose, Devin Vassell
Special Mention Dennis Schröder / Bobby Portis: both will undoubtedly be legitimate candidates by the end of the season, but so far they have seen a little too much of the starting five to apply for this category. The upcoming return of Brook Lopez should allow Portis to regain his role on the bench and we are waiting to hear about Ime Udoka’s plans for the German point guard. For this first ranking it’s no but we could quickly find them among the ten, especially if the figures remain at the same level.
#10 – LaMarcus Aldridge / Patty Mills
We are attacking this Top 10 with not one but two boys who are doing serious work in Brooklyn this season. Kevin Durant and James Harden can breathe easy, the former duo of Spurs share their experience and efficiency with the second unit. The Australian is having his best career season behind an evil address (50% of the parking lot!) While LMA has made himself so essential that Nash has decided to reinstate him in the five at the expense of a Blake Griffin next to his pumps. It’s hard to really name the sixth man of the Nets at the start of the season, so we decided not to separate the tandem, but the return from the inside with the holders could change the situation and offer more light to the former back -up from Tony Parker.
Mills stats: 12.3 points, 2.5 assists, 1.8 rebound, 46.5% shooting, 50% distance, 90.9% on the line.
Aldridge Stats: 13.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 58% shooting, 37.5% distance, 78.9% on the line.
# 9 – Ricky Rubio
It’s hard to talk about Ricky Rubio without using the term resurrection. After a very sad season with his friends the Wolves, the star of the Spanish selection has found light and smile with the young Cavs. Perfect joker behind the duo Garland – Sexton (now in the infirmary), the veteran seems to enjoy his life on the pitch and he is one of the major reasons for the promising start to the season for JB Bickerstaff’s men. There are a few air holes in the shot and balls lost a little stupidly but also a real magic when the former teenager of the NBA kicks in. We also saw a little more Ricky FIBA mode this year, that is to say more the small managerial leader in 10-10 but a guy capable of going to plant his 25, 30 or even 35 points to carry the team while making friends play. We put him “only” ninth to attack this ranking but not impossible that he grabs a few places if he continues his momentum.
Stats: 14.6 points, 6.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 turnovers, 36.6% shooting, 35.6% away, 86.4% on the line.
#8 – Jordan Clarkson
And here is the champion! After having charred all the opposing benches, the Sixth Man of the Year 2021 puts his title on the line and he starts from afar to achieve the back-to-back. We still have about fifteen points off the bench in a team that has the fourth record but we have an impact that is clearly a tone below compared to last year and percentages that are cold in the back. There is always this ability to take heat in a quarter, a half to return a game (the Hawks can attest to this) but it is still too inconstant. We could have put it lower, it would not necessarily have been a scandal, but we are betting on an ignition delay and on the fact that its address will eventually return to standards more in line with its level of l last year. It is the end of November, the JC des Mormons still has plenty of time to reverse the trend.
Stats: 15 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 37.5% shooting, 28.2% away, 83.7% on the line.
#7 – Kelly Oubre Jr.
Like Rubio, Kelly Oubre Jr. needed a fresh start in the offseason and he found himself a cozy nest in North Carolina, or rather a cozy beehive. Annoyed by the words of Steve Kerr who saw him more as a sixth man, KOJ has nevertheless adapted well to this new role with the Hornets. The start of the season has been a bit of a roller coaster ride but it is starting to show more consistency in the last few games, giving itself a few big shots against the Grizzlies but also the Wolves. As expected, the fit with the young Charlotte is impeccable and we feel a player who finds the pleasure of playing orange ball within a team that is doing well. We can’t put him higher in the standings but his return to form deserved a little light.
Stats: 14.7 points, 4 rebounds, 43.9% shooting, 37% distance, 69% on the line.
# 6 – Alex Caruso
If you walk around Staples Center and see a fan whining, there can only be two reasons: the Lakers’ start to the season rotten and Alex Caruso’s departure to Chicago. The man with the blindfold packed his bags this summer and we doubt the Bulls will regret betting on him in the offseason. Perfect team player, big defensive shit (leader of the League in interceptions while he is a substitute!), Intelligent, combative, glue guy too useful to cement a collective, the Carushow did not take long to seize of the United Center. Typically the type of player who proves that the impact is not limited to a few numbers and that a guy with 8 points average can be more valuable than another who plants 15. He goes a little far for the victory final but it is a name that will have to be kept in mind, especially if Chicago remains one of the strongholds in the East.
Stats: 8.5 points, 4.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 43.4% shooting, 33.9% away, 90.2% on the line.
#5 – Carmelo Anthony
In the middle of the Lakers’ sluggish start to the season, there are some sunny breaks and the brightest is wearing a hoodie. While the collective is floundering and the leaders are struggling to find each other, Melo makes us in the vintage and he stands out as the nice surprise of this first month on the side of LA Insolent address, able to chain buckets As if the hoop is the size of a swimming pool, the All-Star winger has saved the Purple and Gold’s butt on several occasions and has long been referred to as the third blade of the local trident. No disrespect Russell Westbrook. Is seeing Anthony with this tag good news for the team? No. Are we happy to see LeBron’s big mate at this level? Downright.
Stats: 15 points, 3.8 rebounds, 44.8% shooting, 43.9% distance, 81.3% on the line.
#4 – Buddy Loved
The outbreak of Tyrese Haliburton promised him a place on the bench and Buddy Hield did not cheat on those first weeks of competition. We remember the circus he played on us the last time he was asked to step off the bench, but for the moment Buddy fully accepts his situation. While De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton are a bit tough, the Bahamian full-back does what he does best: planting. Third best scorer of his team, he even managed to increase his average points (17.5 against 16.6) despite five minutes less on the floor each evening. The Kings are still far from the Playoffs and you will notice that we did not talk about defense in this para, but we can finally put Buddy Hield and Sixth Man Of the Year in the same sentence without giving the impression of making a bad mistake. .
Stats: 17.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 40.3% shooting, 38.9% distance, 81.6% on the line.
#3 – Montrezl Harrell
We had left him on the Lakers bench, with the seum gauge at the max and a few scuds in reserve for his coach, we find him in DC doing some dirty work. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Montrezl Harrell again. Bazaar by LA in Operation Russell Westbrook, Trez ‘is in the process of redeeming a big reputation (and a future great contract?) In the federal capital. The ingredients, we know them: constant energy, good rebound qualities despite a size deficit (2m01) and the feeling that he can transform into a force of nature in three minutes as soon as he presses on the ON button. His scoring is a bit below what he did at the Clippers but Harrell is reminding everyone that he has already won the little statuette. We would almost forget it but that was only a year ago!
Stats: 16.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 64.9% shooting, 77.6% on the line.
#2 – Jalen Brunson
He tends to go under the radar a bit but it will be difficult to continue hiding for Jalen Brunson. Indispensable element of the Mavs, the combo guard continues to make its way into the shadow of Luka Doncic. Like a Boy Scout, Brunson is always ready and he has truly established himself as a sixth starter for Dallas this season. Whether in general from the second unit or with the starting five (22.4 points on average as a starter), JB has proven that he can adapt to any situation and that he does not. was not afraid to take responsibility. On the basis of his best career season (in points, rebounds and assists), the former Villanova is securing a place of choice in the race for the Sixth Man of the Year but above all a pretty packet of steaks for next summer. We recall his salary this season: $ 2 million. Did someone say underpaid?
Stats: 15.1 points, 5.3 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 49.3% shooting, 33.9% distance, 80.4% on the line.
#1 – Tyler Herro
The leader on this first ranking and there is no debate. If you’ve put someone else on the top of this ranking, then we’re not looking at the same League. With almost 22 points on average off the bench, Herro has established himself as the Heat’s second strike force but also one of the most effective substitutes in the history of the League! Among the 33 Sixth Man Of the Year trophy winners, only Lou Williams (2018) and Ricky Pierce (1990) have a better scoring average than him. After a very dull sophomore season, Pat Riley’s protégé had announced the color: he wanted to be put in the same category as Trae Young, Luka Doncic or Ja Morant. At the time, we laughed to the point of holding each other’s sides. Today, not many people want to laugh when they cross the road of the South Beach match.
Stats: 21.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.9 turnovers, 45.4% shooting, 39.8% away, 87.2% on the line.
So much for this first batch of the Sixth Man of the Year race. Tyler Herro is in the lead after the first corner but there is still some way to go until the checkered flag and there are lots of people in the retro. We’ll let you share your Top 10 with us and we’ll see you soon for a new special 6MOY ranking.
Source texte : BasketBall Reference
