With the NBA regular season nearing its conclusion, we here at “Sir Charles in Charge” have decided the time is right to start handing out some end-of-year hardware to those around the league who have stood out amongst the pack and performed at the highest level in the National Basketball Association this year.
Over the next few days, we will be giving you our selections for all of the major NBA awards (Most Improved, Coach, Defensive Player, 6th Man, Rookie, Most Valuable Player). I as Editor of “Sir Charles in Charge” have received nominations and votes from fellow staff writers as well as loyal readers of the site for all of the awards.
The results are in. For day 4 of our SCIC awards, we give you our selection for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
2nd runner-up: Los Angeles Clippers guard Mo Williams
2011-12 statistics: 13.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists
The Los Angeles Clippers needed this kind of season from Mo Williams. With the injury to Chauncey Billups, the Clippers needed one of their guards to step up and fill the huge void left by their veteran sharpshooter.
Williams has certainly done that in 2012.
Having a former all-star (thank you Lebron James) come off the bench to back up starter Chris Paul is a huge plus for this Clippers team.
Despite being the sixth man, Williams still contributes a solid 13.5 points a game while averaging starter-type minutes (29 a game). He isn’t much of a passer, but with Chris Paul leading the way in that department, he doesn’t really have to be.
1st runner-up: Philadelphia 76ers guard Lou Williams
2011-12 statistics: 15.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists
Talk about your contributions off the bench. The Philadelphia 76ers are the only team in the NBA to not have a starting player lead the team in scoring.
There was even talk that Lou would make his first all-star appearance this season based off his stellar play for Philadelphia.
Williams has one of the most effective pump-fakes in the entire NBA His aggressiveness driving to the basket and tough as nails attitude make him one of the more beloved players on the Sixers roster.
and the winner of the first ever SCIC award for the NBA 6th Man of the Year is….
Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden
2011-12 statistics: 16.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists
I don’t expect to hear any complaints about this selection from any of our readers. James Harden is hands down the best and most productive bench player in the NBA today.
It makes you wonder why he isn’t starting for OKC. Harden would be a starter on just about every team in the league.
The beautiful thing about it all is that James embraces his role off the bench. With scorers Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook already starting for the Thunder, Harden would more than likely get lost in the offensive shuffle.
By coming off the bench and having defensive workhorse Thabo Sefolosha start at the 2 spot, Oklahoma City give themselves an all-star worthy player as their sixth man who can score the basketball, defend the perimeter and handle the offensive load for the second unit. He’s even capable of putting up big numbers while playing alongside Durant and Westbrook on the court.
Harden is just an overall stud of a basketball player. No player even comes close in the race for the 2012 6th Man of the Year award.
Honorable Mentions: Denver Nuggets forward Al Harrington, Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry, Memphis Grizzlies guard O.J Mayo, Houston Rockets guard Goran Dragic
Staff writer Joe Nardone nominations: 5) Lou Williams 4) Al Harrington 3) Jason Terry 2) Mo Williams 1) James Harden
Staff writer John Armstrong nominations: 5) Norris Cole 4) Goran Dragic 3) Jason Terry 2) James Harden 1) Lou Williams
Editor Chris Walder nominations 5) Al Harrington 4) Jason Terry 3) Mo Williams 2) Lou Williams 1) James Harden
Reader nominations (after tally): 5) Jason Terry 4) O.J Mayo 3) Mo Williams 2) Lou Williams 1) James Harden
Coming tomorrow: SCIC award for NBA Rookie of the Year
Christopher Walder is a sports blogger and lead editor for Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter @WalderSports