NBA Futures Tracker, Wednesday 18th January
Is the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award already run and won?
Or is there a player or two who can put pressure on Russell Westbrook in the second half of the season?
Bet Nation looks at the top four candidates and breaks down their case for the best of the bench.
Candidate #1: Sixth Man of the Year
Russell Westbrook
Stats: 15.7ppg, 6.6r, 7.8a
It’s safe to say LA Russell currently has one hand on the John Havlicek Trophy.
He shot to favouritism in December as the Lakers slowly improved but has since been crushed into $1.83 on the back of five consecutive games with 20+ points.
While he’s not averaging the triple-double numbers he was over a three-year period at the Thunder – and for one random season at the Wizards – Beastbrook has taken to his role off the bench with aplomb. He even rewound the clock earlier this week with a cheeky 20-point, 14-rebound and 11-assist performance against the 76ers.
Lamar Odom was the last Laker to win the Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2011, but he could share the mantlepiece with the former MVP and nine-time All-Star.
Candidate #2: Sixth Man of the Year
Jordan Poole
Stats: 21ppg, 2.6r, 4.4a
Will Jordan Poole become the first player in Golden State Warriors franchise history to win the Sixth Man of the Year Award?
He opened up as a favourite ahead of last year’s winner, Tyler Herro (Miami), but has watched on as Westbrook has dropped massive SMOY-winning numbers over the past two months.
However, Poole has one major stat in his favour as he vies for the title: his scoring.
The past five award winners have averaged over 18ppg, and while he’s stuffing the stat sheet elsewhere, Westbrook is only putting up 15.7. At 21ppg, Poole is averaging more than the last four winners of the award. He’s currently ranked second at the Warriors for points behind Steph Curry.
If he can continue to help the Warriors push for the playoffs and rectify their 5-17 away record, the $6 for Poole looks mighty juicy at this point.
Candidate #3: Sixth Man of the Year
Malcolm Brogdon
Stats: 14.1ppg, 4.1r, 3.7a
If team success has anything to do with winning major individual awards at the end of the season, Malcolm Brogdon must be a live chance for the Sixth Man of the Year Award.
The Celtics are flying in the Eastern Conference with a 33-12 record while currently on a seven-game winning run.
Brogdon has been an essential part of the Celtics’ success, coming off the bench in every game and ranking third for points (14.1) and third for assists (3.7).
His output has gone to another level over the two weeks, scoring 15+ points in seven of eight games, including 30 against the Hornets.
While his numbers don’t compare favourably to Westbrook or Poole on the surface, Brogdon has quickly become an important cog in the rampaging Celtics machine since arriving in Boston this season.
Candidate #4: Sixth Man of the Year
Norman Powell
Stats: 15.6ppg, 3r, 1.7a
The John Havlicek Trophy or the LA Clippers Award?
The Clips have had a monopoly on this award in recent years, winning it five times in the past nine seasons. Montrezl Harrell (2020), Lou Williams (2019, 2018) and Jamal Crawford (2016, 2014) have ensured the Clippers trophy cabinet has never been free from new silverware for too long.
For that reason, you can’t discount Norman Powell.
Currently, $14 with Bet Nation, Powell is piecing together another impressive season, ranking third for both points and steals behind superstar pair Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
After starting the year with two outings of just nine points, he’s clicked into gear with six straight games of 13+ points. He led the Clippers for scoring in two of those matches.
Powell will need an incredible back-half of the year to snatch the award from the other three, but keep an eye on him with the Clippers finding some form over the past three games.
