Stating the case for every Sixth Man of the Year Candidate

The Sixth Man of the Year Award ostensibly recognizes the best bench player of the NBA season. However, the history of the award is of defense being strongly undervalued, so we usually wind up with recognition for the best offensive bench player.

That’s likely to be the case again this year, as players like Lucas Nogueira and Dewayne Dedmon — defensive linchpins for the bench rotations of the Raptors and Spurs, respectively — have rarely been mentioned as candidates. Even with the knowledge that this award is probably going to recognize one side of the ball more than the other, there are still plenty of fascinating arguments. Here are a few of the names likely to be mentioned, along with a brief summary of their cases for this award.

Joe Ingles

Even though we’re focused on bench players, Sixth Man of the Year candidates usually play healthy minutes and have robust per game stat lines. Joe Ingles…does not. He’s played 23.6 minutes per game for the Jazz this season but averages just 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. However, his case is about legitimate impact, even if it’s not captured by the box score.

Ingles is currently leading the league in 3-point shooting, knocking down 44.8 percent of his 259 attempts this season. He’s also a savvy passer and has helped out as a secondary facilitator for the Jazz offense at times. Ingles has been a perfect offensive complement to a variety of Jazz lineups and, most importantly, he’s also held his own on defense. Ingles is not much in the athleticism department but he’s played smart, reliable defense, generating a healthy 2.6 steals per 100 possessions. Ingles may not look it, but he’s one of the most important players on the Jazz roster this season.

Enes Kanter

Kanter has improved on defense but he’s still very much a traditional Sixth Man of the Year candidate, propping up the Thunder’s offense when he comes in the game. He is a monster on the offensive glass and his post game is hugely important to the Thunder — he’s currently averaging 1.05 points per post-up possession, which ranks in the 88th percentile.

Kanter has played about 700 minutes (roughly half his season total) without Russell Westbrook. In those minutes, he’s averaging 26.1 points per 36 minutes, with a usage rate of 33.8 percent and a 61.4 true shooting percentage. He can play with the starters but his ability to efficiently carry the Thunder offense while Westbrook rests is what makes him so key.

Greg Monroe

Monroe looked like a terrible fit in his first season with the Bucks, stopping up their offense and cratering their defense. This season, as the Bucks have adapted to injuries and the ascension of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Monroe has quietly been a huge force off the bench.

Monroe usually plays as the lone traditional big in small ball lineups, acting as an offensive fulcrum with his passing from the middle of the floor. His assist numbers are near career highs, as is his shooting efficiency. Like Kanter, the Bucks have really relied on Monroe to help prop up their second-unit offense and he’s one of the reasons they’re firmly entrenched in a playoff spot.

James Johnson

Johnson has bounced around the past few years, never quite finding a niche. He parlayed a strong playoff performance with the Raptors into a contract with the Miami Heat this season and he’s been one of the biggest individual surprises on one of the league’s most surprising teams.

Johnson defends multiple positions, often assuming the most difficult defensive assignment. His versatility and tenacity on that end have been essential for Miami. On offense, Johnson has worked as a secondary facilitator and spot-up threat. He’s averaging 5.5 drives per game, more than players like Gordon Hayward and Paul George have managed in far more minutes. Johnson is also averaging career-highs in 3-point percentage and assist percentage. Johnson’s energy, effort, and versatile skill have been one of the biggest reasons for Miami’s late surge.

Lou Williams and Eric Gordon

I hate to lump guys together, but Gordon and Williams now play for the same team and essentially fill the same role. Williams began the year with the Lakers and put up strong individual numbers there, providing stability for their young backcourt rotation. He joined the Rockets at the trade deadline and hasn’t missed a beat.

Both Williams and Gordon operate as spot-up threats around James Harden, and secondary creators when he’s on the bench. Gordon has been a more reliable 3-point shooter in Houston but their per 36 minute stat lines are almost identical — 21.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists for Williams, 20.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists for Gordon. Harden has been magnificent for the Rockets this season, but having players like Williams and Gordon around him means that they can keep gunning for a full 48 minutes.

Next: Stating the case for every Coach of the Year candidate

I’d like to think that a player like Ingles with a more well-rounded game would be recognized this season, but the offensive arguments of Gordon and Williams are probably too strong.