NBA Quarter Pole Awards: Early season MVP and more

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Sixth Man of the Quarter – Jordan Clarkson

Honorable Mentions: Shake Milton, Bobby Portis

The only award that is not particularly close so far, Jordan Clarkson is the clear frontrunner for best reserve in the league. Historically this award goes to the best scorer off the bench and no one quite compares to the productivity of Clarkson.

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Clarkson is the leading scorer among all bench players (minimum six games off the bench) and the next closest (Derrick Rose) is nearly three points behind (17.4 points per game compared to 14.8). Furthermore, Clarkson is extremely efficient, shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from 3-point range on 7.2 attempts per game. He is chipping in on defense and is part of the reason the offense in Utah is thriving, not something the team is typically known for.

Shake Milton has been hit or miss but when he has been good he has been great. If he can make the good nights more common he would be able to move up on this list given his importance to a team currently leading the Eastern Conference. Bobby Portis is a break from the norm, bringing more of a rebounding contribution than is typically associated with this award but he is also the rare microwave big man off the bench.