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NBA Awards Watch: Don’t forget Anthony Davis

By Brad Rowland

New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) reacts after a basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the third quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Hawks 115-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) reacts after a basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the third quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Hawks 115-100. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas drives to the basket in the second half against the Washington Wizards at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Wizards 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas drives to the basket in the second half against the Washington Wizards at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Wizards 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

6th Man of the Year

  1. Isaiah Thomas, Phoenix Suns – Thomas has scored 20 or more points in five of Phoenix’s last eight games, and he has the best statistical profile of any bench player in the league. The 25-year-old is averaging 15.4 points and 3.6 assists per game in only 25.3 minutes per night, and his 58.4% true shooting places him in the elite class among players near his size. Thomas is a “love him or hate him” player, but he brings undeniable value to the Suns in a reserve role, and he is the evolutionary sixth man.
  2. Lou Williams, Toronto Raptors – Williams may have cost himself the top spot with a 1-for-12 shooting performance on Monday night, but for the season, he has been fantastic in Toronto. The former Hawks and 76ers guard is putting up a PER of 20.11 thanks to efficient scoring (15.4 points per game) and a lack of turnovers (1.2 per game) from a guard spot, and the Raptors have definitely needed his infusion off the bench. Toronto’s sixth man has some shortcomings, but he fits what they need and that matters a great deal.
  3. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz – Gobert does not have the traditional sixth man numbers (6.8 points per game) but his rebounding and defense are so impressive that it doesn’t matter. The 22-year-old from France is putting up 7.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in just 21.5 minutes of court time each night, and there is no one more terrifying to the opposition around the rim. Utah will be faced with some interesting decisions on their young bigs in the future, but Rudy Gobert appears to be a piece to build around.

Next: Defensive Player of the Year

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