2013-14 NBA Predictions: Sixth Man of the Year Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers

2013-14 NBA Predictions: Sixth Man of the Year Favorites, Contenders and Sleepers: The NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award was introduced in the 1982-83 season, and it is essentially the MVP Award for players that come off the bench. In order to qualify, a player simply has to come off the bench in more games than he starts. Only three players have every won the award multiple times, and in some ways, it makes sense. After all, a player that shines off the bench is going to probably land a starting role somewhere sooner rather than later. However, last year’s recipient J.R. Smith and runner-up Jamal Crawford are slated to come off the bench again in 2013-14, and both could become the next two-time winner of the award. That being said, there are several other players waiting to challenge them for the honor. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the leading candidates to win the Sixth Man of the Year Award in the upcoming NBA season.

The Favorites

Defending Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith has a great chance to become just the second player to win the honor in back-to-back years. He led all players with 18.1 points per game off the bench last year, and the New York Knicks are still lacking in bench scoring outside of Smith. Heck, Smith is really the only other player on the roster outside of Carmelo Anthony that has the explosiveness to create his own shot. When he is on the court, his job will be to score points, and his hefty per game scoring average will keep at or near the top of the Sixth Man of the Year conversation.

He finished second in the Sixth Man of the Year balloting last year, but Jamal Crawford should have another chance to net the honor for the second time in his career in the upcoming 2013-14 season. For one, he is still the main perimeter scoring option off the bench for the Los Angeles Clippers, and in the same role last year, he finished second among reserves in scoring with an average of 16.1 points per game. Meanwhile, Crawford’s range and ability to get the foul line allowed him to tie all reserves with 29 games of at least 20 points. The guy is instant offense on off the bench.

Other Contenders

After a solid rookie season as the starting small forward for the Golden State Warriors, Harrison Barnes will move to the bench in his sophomore year after the team signed Andre Iguodala in the offseason. The move could prove fruitful for Barnes as he will go from the fourth scoring option in the starting five to the top scoring option off the bench. Barnes showed a solid mid-range and solid athleticism around the rim throughout his rookie season, and as long as he makes the most of his added shot opportunities to post solid scoring and rebounding totals, he could snag Sixth Man of the year honors in 2013-14.

As a member of the Golden State Warriors last season, Jarrett Jack was one of the top five reserves in the NBA, averaging 12.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.5 assist per game and hitting countless clutch shots. He moves to Cleveland for the 2013-14 season, and with  his ability to create his own offense and distribute the ball, Jack will be the top reserve in the Cavaliers’ backcourt. He runs the point a little too much to post a hefty scoring average, but solid numbers across the board should keep in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation.

The Sleeper

The Brooklyn Nets made a ton of big signings this offseason, but one of the more unheralded additions was Andrei Kirilenko. However, the lanky swingman is one of the most versatile players around, especially on the defensive end where he can guard perimeter players and forwards. Keep in mind, Kirilenko’s career averages include 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.9 blocks so this guy can stuff the stat sheet. He should have the chance to do a little bit of everything for the Nets this year, and his all-around impact could be enough to land him Sixth Man of the Year honors.

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