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The 25 Greatest Sixth Men Of All Time

By Carter Johnson

Oct 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 101-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 101-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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8. Billy Cunningham, Philadelphia 76ers

17.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 44.1 FG% in 3 seasons as 6th Man

Accolades: 1X NBA Champion (1967), 1X NBA All-Rookie First Team (1965-66)

One of the most underrated players of the 1960s and in NBA history is Philadelphia 76ers legend Billy Cunningham.

The player they called the Kangaroo Kid was a dominant forward off of the bench from the minute he became a Sixer. In his rookie season, Cunningham averaged 14.3 points per game with 7.5 rebounds per game and teamed with the legendary Wilt Chamberlain and Hal Greer to lead the Sixers to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics.

However, the next season would prove to be a coming out party for Cunningham and the Sixers.

Cunningham had a monster year, putting up 18.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 45.9 percent from the field and was essential to leading the Sixers to their first championship in NBA history.

Cunningham had one more stellar season at the sixth man spot before assuming the star role in Philly after Wilt the Stilt departed for the bright lights of L.A. in 1968.

Although he is remembered most for his play as a starter and his winning resume as the head coach of the Sixers later in his career, Cunningham earns his spot on this list for being one of the first dominant sixth men.

Next: Dennis the Menace