While starting fives are vital in the NBA and gain a lot of focus, depth is becoming more and more important in the league. Teams like the Indiana Pacers and the Portland Trail Blazers both actively went out directly shopping for bench pieces.
Just look at last season’s playoffs for an example of how vital bench production can be. The aforementioned Indiana Pacers had little to no depth and just couldn’t get over the Miami Heat. Then, in the Finals, Miami’s sixth man, Ray Allen, saved the day with less than a minute left.
With that being said, here are the five players I’m predicting will be in the race for Sixth Man of the Year honors this season.
Jamal Crawford of the Los Angeles Clippers will be aiming to become only the fourth player in NBA history to be named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year for the second time. (NBA.com photo)
Los Angeles Clippers: Jamal Crawford
There was a strong case to say that Jamal Crawford should have been the Sixth Man of the Year last season. Crawford was a lot more consistent than eventual winner J.R. Smith, with Smith having a great start and great end to the season. It feels strange to suggest that a gunner can be a more consistent player than anyone, but when it’s J.R. Smith it doesn’t seem so unrealistic. If he can get anywhere near 16.5 points per game on better than 40 percent shooting again, he’ll be right in the mix for the award.
Tyreke Evans will benefit from a change in scenery.
(Photo Credit/SacramentoPressMedia/Flickr.com)
New Orleans Pelicans: Tyreke Evans
This one could go one of two ways. New free agent addition Tyreke Evans might actually start for the Pelicans at the 3, completing rendering him out of the running. However, the sensible option could be to bring him off the bench. He could come on and run the show when Jrue Holiday and Eric Gordon sit down. The pressure on Evans to carry the Pelicans will not be as much as it was in Sacramento. All he will have to do is provide instant offense and him and Ryan Anderson could prove to be a great punch off the bench.
Thomas could blossom in a new bench role. Photo Credit: Neon Tommy (Flickr.com)
Sacramento Kings: Isaiah Thomas
With Greivis Vasquez now in town, Isaiah Thomas could prove to be a great scoring punch off the bench. His lightning quickness and ability to finish at the rim means he could carry a second-unit on his own. Thomas could put up some very good numbers and may finish a lot of games if hot, which could means he racks up some very good numbers that could sway voters.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Reggie Jackson
There were not many good things to come out of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s exit from the postseason. One of them was the development of Reggie Jackson. With James Harden out of town, it’s Reggie Jackson’s time to step up to the plate. Along with Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones III, the Thunder might have a more impressive bench unit next season than many give them credit for.
J.R. Smith will once again be in the running for the SMOTY award. Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule
New York Knicks: J.R Smith
Despite his off-court problems, it’s hard to discount J.R Smith. He won the award last season and will be right up there again. Smith was one of the best players in the league after the All-Star break last season, averaging 21.3 points and 5.9 boards per game on 45.5 percent shooting. Will he keep that up? Probably not. But anything even close to that will have him back in contention.
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