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NBA Awards Watch: The MVP race is over

By Brad Rowland

Feb 27, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after hitting the game winning shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder in overtime at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after hitting the game winning shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder in overtime at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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DENVER, CO – FEBRUARY 23: Will Barton at Pepsi Center on February 23, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Kings defeated the Nuggets 114-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
DENVER, CO – FEBRUARY 23: Will Barton at Pepsi Center on February 23, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. The Kings defeated the Nuggets 114-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /

6th Man of the Year

  1. Will Barton, SG Denver Nuggets – Barton continues to languish in relative obscurity, simply because the Nuggets aren’t playing well enough on the whole to generate outside interest. However, the 25-year-old swingman is having a breakout year in averaging 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game off the bench, and his 17.4 PER speaks for itself. Admittedly, it is a pretty weak crop for 6MOY candidates this season, but Barton’s profile would play in any year. Take some time and watch the Nuggets once in a while.
  2. Andre Iguodala, SF Golden State Warriors – Iguodala’s numbers (7.4 points per game, 12.7 PER) will automatically disqualify him in the minds of some pundits (and voters), but his impact is enormous. Iguodala serves as Golden State’s wing stopper and he is a vital cog in the machine that is decimating the NBA. More people should recognize Iguodala’s impressive contributions and we’ll line up to do just that.
  3. Jrue Holiday, PG New Orleans Pelicans – This is a super odd case. Holiday is being deployed as a reserve for the most part this season, making only 14 starts in 52 games, and that qualifies him for the honor. When he’s been healthy, Holiday has been very good, averaging 15.6 points and 5.8 assists per game, and the 25-year-old point guard has always been an above-average defender. It feels like cheating to include him, but with the criteria given, he should be in the mix despite the vast struggles of his team.

Next: Defensive Player of the Year

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