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NBA: 10 Candidates For Sixth Man Of The Year In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 8, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) drives to the basket as Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) defends during the first half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) drives to the basket as Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) defends during the first half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 11, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) reacts after making a three point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-107. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Nikola Mirotic

Last year, Nikola Mirotic finished second in Rookie of the Year voting and sixth in Sixth Man of the Year voting. He averaged 10.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, and though his shooting percentages weren’t great (40.5 percent from the floor and 31.6 percent from three-point range), he slowly but surely overtook Taj Gibson as the Chicago Bulls‘ designated sixth man.

With Gibson coming off summer surgery, it’s time for Mirotic’s breakout season as a bonafide Sixth Man of the Year candidate. His game is well-rounded and his potential as a perimeter shooter makes him an enticing first option off the bench in Fred Hoiberg’s new offense.

It wouldn’t be the first time a guy with an awesome beard won the Sixth Man award, and Mirotic’s value as a stretch-4 is going to quickly become apparent, even in Chicago’s crowded frontcourt. With the NBA diving headfirst into the small-ball era, Mirotic is a terrific dark horse candidate for this award.

Next: No. 2