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NBA Award Watch: Nikola Jokic is moving mountains

By John Buhler

March 10, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) looks on during the first half against the Boston Celtics at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
March 10, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) looks on during the first half against the Boston Celtics at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Lou Williams (12) drives inside for a layup against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Lou Williams (12) drives inside for a layup against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /

Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams

It has been established that the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year will be a member of the 2016-17 Houston Rockets. While there was a brief moment where Eric Gordon was in the lead, the award has been Lou Williams for most of the NBA season.

Williams had been an early leader for Sixth Man with Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter during the first half. He had been the best player on a lousy Los Angeles Lakers team, but his sharpshooting off the bench had him poised to win his second Sixth Man in three seasons.

Kanter broke his hand in frustration and fell out of the race entirely. Williams was traded from the Lakers to the Rockets at the deadline and never looked back. He is a big reason that Houston might be the most dangerous team entering the Western Conference Playoffs.

Williams is averaging 18.0 points, 3.0 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game primarily off the bench. His PER of 23.1 is the best of a non-starter in the NBA. It’s insane that he is responsible for 5.5 Win Shares this season. The Lakers are terrible and he didn’t even start for them. Giving Sixth Man of the Year to anybody else would be a total travesty.

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