NBA award ballots: MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and more
NBA award ballots: Sixth Man of the Year
Christopher Kline
- Kevin Love, CLE
- Tyler Herro, MIA
- Cam Johnson, PHX
So I didn’t pick Tyler Herro. Edgy. Herro is delightful and he’s a genuinely gifted scoring machine, but it’s time we view the Sixth Man of the Year award as the “most valuable bench player” award, not the “player who scores the most points off the bench” award. Kevin Love was at the center of Cleveland’s ascent this season, buying into a smaller role and elevating the Cavs’ offense with his diverse skill set. Shooting, passing, rebounding — Love did it all, and Cleveland just isn’t as good as it is without Love anchoring the second unit.
Herro still deserves immense credit, and him winning the award (which he will) is by no means a miscarriage of justice. Cam Johnson deserves a shout too — he has come into his own as the primary 3-and-D weapon off the bench for the NBA’s best team.
Lucas Johnson
- Tyler Herro, MIA
- Kevin Love, CLE
- Kelly Oubre Jr., CHA
Sixth Man of the Year wasn’t close for me as Tyler Herro is the clear-cut winner of the award as he leads the NBA in bench scoring. Herro leads NBA reserves in scoring and is the Miami Heat’s second leading scorer behind Jimmy Butler.
Being the second leading scorer on the number one seed in the Eastern Conference certainly solidifies his case. Any other year, Kevin Love would have a real shot at this award and how Kelly Oubre has mophered himself into a legit sixth man is commendable, but neither can hold a candle to Herro this season.