NBA: Early Sixth Man Of The Year Candidates Emerge

NBA: Early Sixth Man Of The Year Candidates

December 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23), guard Patrick McCaw (0), and forward James Michael McAdoo (20) during the game at Oracle Arena. The Rockets defeated the Warriors 132-127 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Lou Williams, Los Angeles Lakers

Lou Williams is in his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers. This season, he’s been a renewed spark off the bench. In his 12th season, Williams is averaging 18.4 points, 3.5 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals a game. The Lakers are 10-13 this season.

He is shooting 39.3 percent from three while also shooting 45.2 percent from the field, his second highest shooting percentage since his fifth season in the league. His three-point shooting percentage is a career-high for him as well.

Williams is experiencing a career-high in scoring at the ripe old age of 30. Coming off the bench, he’s averaging 24.7 minutes per game. Williams scored 20 points with four rebounds, three steals, and two rebounds in the team’s 117-97 win over Golden State back on Nov/ 4.

The 2014-15 Sixth Man of the Year has recorded 20 points or more in eight games for the Lakers this season. He has recorded 40 and 38 points, respectively, in their last two games despite them being losses.

As Los Angeles continues to find its identity, look for Williams to be key as a sixth man for them.