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NBA Award Watch: Draymond Green dominating defensively

By John Buhler

Dec 11, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) wait for a rebound during a free throw in the second half at Target Center. The Warriors won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) wait for a rebound during a free throw in the second half at Target Center. The Warriors won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) reacts during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 109-89. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) reacts during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 109-89. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Sixth Man of the Year: Enes Kanter

Two players have emerged as front-runners for Sixth Man of the Year: Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Lou Williams and Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter. Williams would be a repeat winner, having won the award with the 2014-15 Toronto Raptors. He’s one of the best spot-up shooters coming off an NBA bench, but the Lakers aren’t very good.

Williams has probably been the best sixth man in the NBA this season, but with the Lakers in the middle of a major rebuilding project, it seems unlikely his individual success will be recognized. That makes Kanter, the Thunder’s backup center, the most likely candidate to win the award.

Backup centers don’t typically win Sixth Man of the Year, but Kanter is massively important to the Thunder’s success. He’s averaging 12.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, with 2.4 Win Shares, and a league-best 24.4 PER among non-starters. Kanter isn’t glamorous, but he’s efficient and gives Billy Donovan’s Thunder bench an important edge.

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