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New York Knicks: 3 award candidates in 2020-21

By Orestis Rantis

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 18: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on January 18, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 18: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on January 18, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks
New York Knicks Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images /

Sixth Man of the Year: Austin Rivers/Alec Burks

Something that every Knicks fan should be happy about, is finally having some reliable scoring off the bench. Mainly due to the work of Austin Rivers and Alec Burks, the second unit has been looking at its best in recent memory.

One could say that the sample size for each of these guards is relatively small, though this is just an early prediction given their respective performances so far.

First things first, Burks has had the luck to play in just 3 games so far, the first trifecta of the season in late December. In those 3 games, he scored at least 18 points in each one of them and currently holds a season scoring average of 20.7 points per game.

Related Story. Knicks: 3 takeaways from the promising start. light

Rivers, on the other hand, entered the rotation later on, after his teammate’s ankle injury. We’ve had the joy of watching him play for a bit longer, in a 7-game span where he averages 12.0 points per outing.

Both of these guards can currently boast about having astronomically high shooting percentages. That is, of course, in the limited number of times they’ve worn a New York Knicks uniform, though the signs are nothing but positive for the both of them.

Given the general belittling of the New York Knicks around the league, both Burks and Rivers could be major sleeper picks to win the Sixth Man of the Year award. We just have to wait and see just how well they are capable of working together.

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