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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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NBA
Mar 5, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Chicago defeats Houston 108-100. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

21. James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder

13.0 PPG, 2.5 APG, 44.3 FG% in 3 seasons as 6th Man

Accolades: NBA All Rookie Second Team (2010), 1X Sixth Man of the Year (2012)

Before he exploded on to the scene as a bearded superstar with the Houston Rockets, James Harden was a rising star and the essential third piece to a deadly triumvirate that included Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City.

Harden was a very dynamic sixth man, serving as the de facto point guard for the Thunder’s bench unit and boasting a terrific ability to score inside and out.

Harden’s breakout season came in 2011-12, when he averaged a then-career high 16.8 points a game on 49 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent shooting from three, both of which are still career highs for The Beard. This resulted in Harden becoming the second youngest player ever to win the Sixth Man award.

Looking at those numbers, it’s no coincidence that Harden was essential in willing the Thunder to their first and last NBA Finals appearance, as he posted 16.3 points per game in the playoffs on a split of .435/.410/.857.

More importantly, The Beard outdueled another sixth man on this list in the Conference Finals that year, averaging 18.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game to push OKC to victory in six games.

Unfortunately, after being neutralized by the Miami Heat in the Finals, the Thunder’s Big 3 would be dissolved when Harden was traded to Houston for Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb in a deal fans have been shaking their heads at ever since.

Despite having such a short tenure with the Thunder, the lasting indicator of his impact is the fact that the team hasn’t reached the NBA Finals since his departure.

Next: Uncle Cliffy