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NBA Mid-Season Awards: Updating the ballot for the half season

By Corey Rausch

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 27: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center on February 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 27: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center on February 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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NBA (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
NBA (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Sixth Man of the Half-Year – Jordan Clarkson

Honorable Mentions: Terrence Ross, Malik Monk

Quarter-Pole Choice: Jordan Clarkson

This race is not close whatsoever. Jordan Clarkson is currently running circles around the field with the dynamic he has brought to the Utah Jazz, the team currently with the best record in the league. He is the top scorer off the bench for anyone with more than a single appearance in that role at 17.9 points per game.

The team is plus 4.7 with Clarkson on the court, sixth among primary bench players. When he takes the court, the game becomes more about isolation, instead of the motion that has become customary for the team. In many cases that would be a negative but here it is different. He transforms this team and gives them a chance when the All-Stars are off the court.

Behind him, picking runner-up selections is a matter of preference. Terrence Ross is responsible for one of the more meme’d photos of the season and has been a walking bucket. He is averaging a career-high in points (15.5 per game), rebounds (3.5), assists (2.2) and steals (1.1).

Ross has dropped 20 or more points in 12 of his 35 games this year. If the Orlando Magic were not ravaged by injuries he would be talked about much more.

Malik Monk is thriving in a contract year for the Charlotte Hornets and is looking like the player that got drafted in the lottery in 2017. He is shooting 43.9 percent on 5.6 3-point attempts per game, both career highs. His effective field goal percentage is nearly 10 percentage points higher than a year ago (58.3 vs. 49.4).