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NBA Awards Watch: Jimmy Butler Grabs Headlines

By Brad Rowland

Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) moves to the basket against the defense of Toronto Raptors guard Greivis Vasquez (21) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) moves to the basket against the defense of Toronto Raptors guard Greivis Vasquez (21) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

6th Man of the Year

  1. Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers – At 34 years old, Jamal Crawford is having the best statistical season of his career. Crawford has posted career-bests in PER (18.65), turnover rate (8.0), free throw attempts (5.8 per 36 minutes) and per-minute scoring (22.3 points per 36), and he is a key cog in the wheel for the Clippers. It is fair to say that Los Angeles revolves around the duo of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin (or even Doc Rivers), but Crawford has incredible value as a secondary ball-handler in that offense, and even with his trademark ineffectiveness on defense (it has to be mentioned), his overall impact is worthy of the top spot here.
  2. Isaiah Thomas, Phoenix Suns – The Suns have won six straight, and Isaiah Thomas keeps on churning. Some pundits (myself included) have questioned the fit of the three-guard system in Phoenix, but Thomas has not sustained any sort of drop in production. In fact, the 25-year-old has put together a small improvement in the numbers that netted him a large contract in the off-season, besting those marks in PER (20.64), true shooting (57.6%) and even per-minute contributions in scoring (22.2 points per 36). The diminutive Thomas has struggled from the field this season (42.5% FG), but with an uptick elsewhere, there is no reason to knock him down or “punish” him for a situational handicap.
  3. Ryan Anderson, New Orleans Pelicans – Anderson has not been his typically efficient self this season, yet I would still maintain that he is the best understudy for Anthony Davis in New Orleans. The 6-foot-10 forward is averaging 15.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in less than 29 minutes, and even with ugly shooting numbers by his standards (42% FG, 33% 3-PT), the spacing he provides is extremely valuable for Davis and players like Jrue Holiday. Anderson could quickly rise on this list if he gets his shooting back to established norms (i.e. 38.1% career 3-PT), but he’s been good enough to qualify even while struggling.

Next: Defensive Player of the Year

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