Thought he deserved it. Funny how often this award has recently gone to shoot first and foremost players/chuckers that end up having a hot season. Ben Gordon, JR Smith, Jamal Crawford, Jason Terry, Leandro Barbosa.
Me, I like the player coming off the bench that is having the best all around season helping their team, than one of these type players who is mostly about scoring and just having a hot shooting year. The Lamar Odoms, James Harden and Manu Ginobillis of the world.
I can't believe a guy like Tiago Splitter never gets consideration or someone like Ryan Anderson didn't win this year(probably because he is on a losing team).
I agree entirely, but when it comes to comparing the 6th man off the bench most voters look at the guy who has that scoring punch who can lead the second unit while the starters rest, which is the stereotypical 6th man role. Its not necessarily about the most important 6th man or who has the best season. The offensive stats are so flashy that its hard for a guy who provides a more balanced overall game to get noticed from a pool of guys who can score so readily.
I'd have a hard time giving it to a guy on a losing team like Anderson, I know its not fair but I think when it comes to awards like this the player's contribution has to be measured within the context of the team's success. Its that player's role in contributing to the overall play and winning of the team.
That being said I thought JR was definitely deserving this year. He paced that team when Melo was on the bench and helped drive their high powered offense.
I probably would have given it to Jarret Jack because I thought his overall game had the biggest impact especially given the inexperience and injuries the Warriors were dealing with (but Landry probably made him seem less important given how well he played too).
yeah, Landry and Jack probably stole each others votes, which is too bad since both had such excellent 6th man type seasons.
I too think Smith deserved it this year but just find it funny how often the award has recently gone to such players when in the past it didn't. I think the recent media and game focus on offense and three point shooting has forever changed the way this award is given out.
The 6th man who is supremely effective offensively while providing excellent defense, or ball handling or rebounds or all of the above just won't see the award too much anymore.
For instance did you know Splitter has one of the best Ortg/Drtg differences in the NBA. His offensive rating is 118 and his defensive rating 100. He has done this for the past few years. One of the few players with a better difference is Lebron.
That to me says Splitter is contributing mightily to both ends of the court and doing it on one of the best teams in the league and he's doing it in many areas, offense, defense, rebounding.
But he will probably never get a lot of support.
