6th Man Award: Jamal Crawford
The 18-year NBA vet is arguably the best 6th man in the history of the league. He’s won the 6th Man of the Year Award three times in his career. At 38-years-old, he still has plenty of game left. The only reason Crawford is a dark horse for this award is that he has yet to sign with a team.
At this stage in his career, Jamal Crawford isn’t in a rush to sign with just anyone. Championship contention has to be a priority for a player that offers so much on the floor. There are only a handful of teams that would provide Crawford with an opportunity to win his first NBA title. Those squads appear to be established for the season, opting to fill their rosters with younger guards.
I understand the idea of going younger at the guard position. It provides teams with an opportunity to secure that role in the lineup for years to come. That’s crucial for squads, like the Lakers, Bucks, and 76ers, who are looking to make championship runs for years to come. Still, having the ability to add an automatic scorer like Crawford can’t be overlooked.
Whether it be due to an injury or lack of bench production, one of the team’s elite squads will make the right decision and sign Jamal Crawford early in the season. As soon as he has an opportunity, expect him to prove all of his doubters wrong. That extra chip on his shoulder will give Crawford the opportunity to take home the coveted award again.