The NBA’s Sixth Man of the 12 months award appears comparatively easy on first look. In concept, it’s meant to go to the league’s finest bench participant. Recently, nevertheless, the precise definition of “sixth man” has come into query. The league’s solely guideline is {that a} participant should begin fewer video games than he comes off of the bench, however the place is the sensible line? Final season’s race between Malcolm Brogdon and Immanuel Quickley is a textbook instance of that debate. Brogdon didn’t begin a single recreation all season. Quickley began 21, and plenty of of his finest video games, and those that helped shift the percentages in his favor, started with him on the ground somewhat than the bench.
Quickley supporters argued that a part of a bench participant’s worth may very well be measured of their skill to step into a much bigger position when known as upon. That is, in essence, what Naz Reid has carried out currently with Karl-Anthony Cities sidelined.
The Timberwolves at the moment are 10-5 since Cities, considered one of Minnesota’s two All-Stars this season, suffered a torn meniscus. Getting into Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Lakers, Reid had began 11 video games throughout Cities’ absence and averaged greater than 18 factors and 7 rebounds per contest. The Timberwolves largely have not missed a beat with out Cities as a result of Reid has so convincingly mimicked his ability set. Cities ceaselessly calls himself the very best taking pictures massive man in NBA historical past. This season, their taking pictures numbers are almost similar. Cities is making 42.3% of his 3-pointers. Reid is making 41.8%. On a per-minute foundation, Reid is each making an attempt and making extra of them.
Minnesota’s whole mannequin for fulfillment depends on overpowering opponents with measurement with out sacrificing spacing out of the ability ahead slot. There are solely a handful of gamers in all of basketball who can examine each containers like Reid can. Having him on their roster could be the distinction between a No. 1 and No. 3 seed for the Timberwolves. The bookmakers have taken discover. After spending many of the season as each a reserve and an extended shot within the Sixth Man of the 12 months race, Reid has almost pulled even with favourite Malik Monk thanks largely to what he has carried out as a starter.
Monk, like Brogdon a season in the past, didn’t begin a single recreation this season. He comes far nearer to becoming the conventional Sixth Man of the 12 months archetype. Roughly half of the time, the award’s winner occurs to be that season’s main bench scorer. Monk is not fairly there, however he is in that ballpark. Most of the time, that participant is a guard. Their ability units, particularly, are typically extra helpful off of the bench than they’re in beginning lineups, which usually have sufficient uncooked scoring on the varieties of fine groups that have a tendency to supply award winners. Maybe that has conditioned voters to search for them over extra versatile candidates. Andre Iguodala by no means received this award and he could be a Corridor of Famer sooner or later.
As you’d anticipate, Monk has the sting with regards to counting stats. He averages round two extra factors per recreation and is a way more helpful playmaker. Reid has the plus-minus edge. Minnesota had received Reid’s minutes by 269 factors getting into Sunday. The Kings have been a paltry +10 on the season with Monk on the ground. To some extent that is roster-dependent, however he nonetheless ranks tenth on his personal workforce. Although in no way an All-Protection candidate, Reid is the far superior defender. Protection not often components into this award, however becoming in on a No. 1-ranked unit has to imply one thing.
Brogdon beat out Quickley a yr in the past however he additionally had the seeding benefit. This time, the roles are reversed. The complete-time reserve performed for a workforce that’s doubtless now play-in sure. The spot starter is crucial to one of many NBA’s finest groups. The fact in a race this shut is that voters are going to search for narrative components that make their choice simpler. Reid filling in for Cities and defending Minnesota’s high seed will surely match the invoice even when, paradoxically sufficient, it could come with out him truly serving as a Sixth Man.
