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NBA Awards Watch: Can Tim Duncan win Defensive Player of the Year?

By Brad Rowland

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles past San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second half at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 101-93. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles past San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second half at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 101-93. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Raptors guard Lou Williams (23) dribbles past New Orleans Pelicans guard Jimmer Fredette (32) at Air Canada Centre. The Pelicans beat the Raptors 95-93. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Toronto Raptors guard Lou Williams (23) dribbles past New Orleans Pelicans guard Jimmer Fredette (32) at Air Canada Centre. The Pelicans beat the Raptors 95-93. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

6th Man of the Year

  1. Isaiah Thomas, Phoenix Suns – As the Suns have continued to improve, rumblings about fit concerns in the backcourt have been silenced in Phoenix. Thomas is basically an ideal fit as a bench option given his size and offensive abilities, and he has taken full advantage of the role to the tune of 14.6 points and 3.7 assists per game in only 25.2 minutes per night. There is no question that Thomas is the third banana in the Phoenix backcourt, but that is more than okay given the nature of this award, and his efficiency (19.38 PER, 39.7% from three) pushes his performance over the top.
  2. Lou Williams, Toronto Raptors – It has been a lot of fun to watch Lou Williams cook in Toronto this season. It has been a throwback season from the 28-year-old, as he is getting to the line 4.8 times per game (making 85.4%) and carving up defenses with an explosive off-dribble game. During his tenure in Atlanta, Williams battled knee issues that cost him athleticism, but he seems to have that back now, and as the third-leading scorer on an East contender, Lou Williams is enjoying a mid-career renaissance.
  3. Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers – Just a few weeks ago, Crawford looked like the runaway winner here, but he has tailed off a bit. He is shooting just 35.2% from the floor and 28.6% from three in January, and with real concerns about the Clippers moving forward, that has taken some of the shine off of his candidacy. Still, this has been a borderline career year for the now 34-year-old, and he is the embodiment of a sixth man in many ways.

Next: Defensive Player of the Year

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