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Denver Nuggets: How Does Will Barton Match Up Against Other Sixth Man Candidates?

By Brian Saunders

Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) dribbles the ball in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Pacers 129-126. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) dribbles the ball in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Pacers 129-126. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nobody saw this coming from Will Barton, the fourth-year wing from the University of Memphis. Never really given an opportunity to play in Portland, Barton has become one of the most exciting and effective players for the Denver Nuggets this season.

Known as “Thrill,” Will Barton may soon be able to go by another name–Sixth Man of the Year, the award given to the best reserve player in the NBA.

Averaging just less than four points per game in very limited action as a Portland Trail Blazer, his NBA value was relatively unknown. After a trade in February 2015, Barton saw the most minutes of his career in 24 games for Denver last season, averaging 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists in a career-high 24.4 minutes per game.

But even so, nobody could have predicted the success Barton’s enjoyed, being mentioned as one the Association’s top off-the-bench scorers in the league. In 28.7 minutes a game, he is averaging 14.4 points, shooting 43 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3 and five rebounds.

Per 36 minutes Barton’s numbers are 18 points and seven rebounds and per 100 possessions his numbers are 25 points and 10 rebounds, a double-double.

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Before this season, Barton had just three 20-point games; this year alone he has reached the 20-point plateau 18 times.

The Nuggets, with just 33 wins on the season, can thank Barton’s contributions for even reaching that total. With the rotation forever changing all season because of injuries, Barton has played every game and his consistency has been key for the young Denver team.

Let’s compare Barton’s contributions to some of the other Sixth Man candidates.

Mar 2, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) plays defense against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Warriors 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) plays defense against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Warriors 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors: Iguodala, a tenacious defender for the defending champions, is a key cog for the team off the bench. His ability to defend multiple positions and handle the ball allows Stephen Curry to play off the ball.

Iguodala averages seven points, four rebounds, and three assists, shooting 48 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3. Per 36 minutes Iggy is putting up 10 points, six rebounds and five assists and per 100 possessions it’s 12, six and seven.

The Warriors forward proved his worth off the bench in the Finals last year, earning Finals MVP honors, and has followed it up with another solid season (when healthy) for a team with at least a share of the most wins in NBA history.

NBA
Feb 29, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) brings the ball up court against the Brooklyn Nets during an NBA game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers: J-Crossover has been here before, a prolific scorer off the bench with two Sixth Man awards under his belt already, has put himself in a position to be voted a third time. The 36-year-old has really stepped it up for his team without Blake Griffin for most of the season, averaging 14 points off the bench in 27 minutes a night.

Per 36 minutes and per 100 possessions that translate to 19 and 26 points per game. Crawford’s contributions kept the Clippers afloat earning them homecourt in the first round of the playoffs.

Jan 20, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) drives to the basket against Charlotte Hornets forward Spencer Hawes (00) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) drives to the basket against Charlotte Hornets forward Spencer Hawes (00) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City Thunder: Kanter, in his first full season with the Thunder, is considered a lock for the award by many, averaging 13 points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes per game. Oklahoma City criticized for going into the luxury tax to retain Kanter found a key rotation player for its bench.

Kanter averages 22 points and 14 rebounds per 36 minutes and per 100 possessions 30 points and 19 rebounds. The Thunder have a plus-18 differential when Kanter is on the court.

Barton’s statistics stack up well against the other candidates on this list; however, each of these players are key pieces to playoff teams with top-four seeds and the playoffs and the Nuggets hold the 10th-best record in the West (tied with Sacramento). That missed the playoffs by eight games.

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The fact that all of the other players played for 50-win teams works against Barton because their off-the-bench success translated to wins, but in terms of success for a team off the bench Will “Thrill” Barton matches those other players.

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