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NBA: Predicting the 2018-19 regular season award winners

By Colin Cann

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 4, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Bucks 111-100. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 4, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Bucks 111-100. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 24: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Houston Rockets poses for a portrait during the Houston Rockets Media Day at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston on September 24, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 24: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Houston Rockets poses for a portrait during the Houston Rockets Media Day at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston on September 24, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

6th Man

Honorable Mentions:

Carmelo Anthony, Houston Rockets 

The Rockets starting line up isn’t set in stone just yet, but it appears that Carmelo may be relegated to bench duty for the first time in his 15 year career in favor of PJ Tucker’s defense and low usage. Which would leave one of the greatest scorers in history to do what he does best.

In a limited role through preseason he has shot a blistering 54% from the floor, 50% from downtown and 100% from the line, albiet in a small dose. Last seasons Sixth man Eric Gordon hasn’t gone anywhere and will need his touches for the bench unit as well, but Carmelo should excel as the go-to scorer off the bench. A role Oklahoma City never let him play as he barely saw the floor without the ball dominant Russell Westbrook last season.

Look for Melo to make up for his struggles in Oklahoma City and have a chance to bring home the trophy.

Julius Randle, New Orleans Pelicans 

Randle took a huge step forward last season averaging a career-best 16.1 ppg. More importantly, after struggling to remain efficient in his short NBA career he shot a stellar 56% from the floor. That was for a bad Laker team, though.

He is a New Orleans Pelican now. With Nikola Mirotic being a better fit alongside Anthony Davis, Randle will likely be the first big off the bench to form a three-man rotation that will shoulder the lions share of the big man minutes.

With only Jahlil Okafor, Alexis Ajinca and Cheick Diallo as the other options off the bench it would appear Randle may actually play a career high in minutes despite not starting, paving the way for sixth man consideration.

Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings 

The only player on this list who didn’t have his role drastically changed over the offseason, Hield will look to build upon a solid season coming off the bench for the Sacramento Kings which saw him average 13.5 points per game with a 45/43/88 shooting split. The Kings led the league in bench points last season, Buddy Hield will be the leading scorer on the bench unit.

He could talk a big step forward in his third season and establish himself as one of the best shooters in the league, bench or starter. Last season Buddy took off after the all-star break, upping his scoring to 15.7 points per game on 46/44/88 while nearly doubling his assists. He should come back even better this season.

With only a few more attempts per game Hield would have the point totals to win on top of an efficiency that is rarely seen by sixth man winners in the past.

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