Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
According to several league sources, J.R. Smith of the New York Knicks will be named the 2013 NBA Sixth Man Of The Year.
THIS JUST IN: The Knicks' J.R. Smith has won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, per ESPN and media reports.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 22, 2013
In 80 games this season, Smith averaged 18.1 points (career-high) on 42.2% shooting, including 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals and a PER of 17.67. His previous career-high in points came back in 2009-10 as a member of the Denver Nuggets when he averaged 15.4.
He helped lead the New York Knicks to a 54-28 record, an Atlantic Division crown (their first since 1994) and the second seed in the Eastern Conference. New York currently owns a 1-0 series lead over the Boston Celtics in their first-round playoff series.
Smith had 29 games in which he scored 20 or more points, tying him with Jamal Crawford of the Los Angeles Clippers for the NBA lead.
A press conference has been called for Monday afternoon in which Smith will be presented the award.
Other candidates for the award included Crawford, Jarrett Jack of the Golden State Warriors and Kevin Martin of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Chris Walder is the Editor of Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter at @WalderSports
Be sure to “LIKE” the Facebook Fan Page for Sir Charles in Charge by clicking here