The Race for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award is wide open

Malcolm Brogdon – Boston Celtics

When veteran point guard Malcolm Brogdon was traded to the Boston Celtics from the Indiana Pacers this past off-season, it was a clear sign that the management team in Bean Town was not satisfied with their runner-up finish last year. Brogdon is a solid playmaker, a locker room leader, and a veteran presence that could add depth to any team’s rotation. Adding him to a team that just reached the NBA Finals seemed like a no-brainer.

So far this season, Brogdon has not disappointed. He is averaging 14.5 points per game while shooting a blistering 44.9 percent from 3-point land. More importantly, the Celtics sit at the top of the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 41 wins and 17 losses. While the team’s starting point guard, Marcus Smart, is known for his defense, grit, and hustle plays, Brogdon takes more of a cerebral approach to the game. He seemingly always makes the right pass and always knocks down the open shot.

If the Celtics are able to finish the regular season with the best record in the Eastern Conference, it will do a lot to strengthen Brogdon’s claim to the Sixth Man of The Year Award. Although the team played well in the second half of last season, they started the year off shaky and many pundits were wondering if it was time to split up Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. This year, the narrative has been the complete opposite. The team has been near the top of the standings all season and Brogdon’s consistent play is as much a factor as anything else.