Enes Kanter: 6MOY?

[PhoSita]

Enes Kanter so far this season:

11.6 points 10 rebounds on 56% shooting in about 20 minutes per game.

It's much less common to see double-double big men win the Sixth Man award as opposed to high-usage guards who light it up off the bench, but could it happen with Kanter?

If OKC wins 55+ games and Kanter continues to average a double double in fewer than 30 minutes a game, I think it could happen.  We know that defense is rarely taken into account with this award.

[Moranis]

Seems to be Thomas' award to lose (which may happen by him starting).

[PhoSita]

Seems to be Thomas' award to lose (which may happen by him starting).

Yeah, I think Thomas will have too many starts / average too many minutes to really qualify for the award.  I maintain that Thomas doesn't really count as a 6th man because he's the primary scoring option for his team, period, not just when he's on the floor against bench players.

Plus, I think the Celts will win around 40 games again, whereas the Thunder will win over 50. 

[jpotter33]

Seems to be Thomas' award to lose (which may happen by him starting).

Yeah, I think Thomas will have too many starts / average too many minutes to really qualify for the award.  I maintain that Thomas doesn't really count as a 6th man because he's the primary scoring option for his team, period, not just when he's on the floor against bench players.

Plus, I think the Celts will win around 40 games again, whereas the Thunder will win over 50.

Isn't the criteria that you only have to come off of the bench more than you start? I don't remember there being any minutes restriction. If so, I really don't see IT starting more than coming off of the bench this year, and I definitely think it's his to lose this year, especially after essentially getting cheated out of it last year due to him changing teams halfway through.

[PhoSita]

Seems to be Thomas' award to lose (which may happen by him starting).

Yeah, I think Thomas will have too many starts / average too many minutes to really qualify for the award.  I maintain that Thomas doesn't really count as a 6th man because he's the primary scoring option for his team, period, not just when he's on the floor against bench players.

Plus, I think the Celts will win around 40 games again, whereas the Thunder will win over 50.

Isn't the criteria that you only have to come off of the bench more than you start? I don't remember there being any minutes restriction. If so, I really don't see IT starting more than coming off of the bench this year, and I definitely think it's his to lose this year, especially after essentially getting cheated out of it last year due to him changing teams halfway through.

Like all of the awards, it's nebulously defined.  The biggest reason I think IT won't get it is that the Celts won't be good enough.

I think he'll also end up getting a lot of starts, too.

[Moranis]

Seems to be Thomas' award to lose (which may happen by him starting).

Yeah, I think Thomas will have too many starts / average too many minutes to really qualify for the award.  I maintain that Thomas doesn't really count as a 6th man because he's the primary scoring option for his team, period, not just when he's on the floor against bench players.

Plus, I think the Celts will win around 40 games again, whereas the Thunder will win over 50.

Isn't the criteria that you only have to come off of the bench more than you start? I don't remember there being any minutes restriction. If so, I really don't see IT starting more than coming off of the bench this year, and I definitely think it's his to lose this year, especially after essentially getting cheated out of it last year due to him changing teams halfway through.

Like all of the awards, it's nebulously defined.  The biggest reason I think IT won't get it is that the Celts won't be good enough.

I think he'll also end up getting a lot of starts, too.

6MOY isn't like the MVP where winning matters.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/smoy.html

Sure some of those guys were on very good teams, but a lot were on mediocre to good teams (teams with win totals in the 40's).  You can't be on a bad team and win it, but you don't have to be on a great team either.

[PhoSita]

Seems to be Thomas' award to lose (which may happen by him starting).

Yeah, I think Thomas will have too many starts / average too many minutes to really qualify for the award.  I maintain that Thomas doesn't really count as a 6th man because he's the primary scoring option for his team, period, not just when he's on the floor against bench players.

Plus, I think the Celts will win around 40 games again, whereas the Thunder will win over 50.

Isn't the criteria that you only have to come off of the bench more than you start? I don't remember there being any minutes restriction. If so, I really don't see IT starting more than coming off of the bench this year, and I definitely think it's his to lose this year, especially after essentially getting cheated out of it last year due to him changing teams halfway through.

Like all of the awards, it's nebulously defined.  The biggest reason I think IT won't get it is that the Celts won't be good enough.

I think he'll also end up getting a lot of starts, too.

6MOY isn't like the MVP where winning matters.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/smoy.html

Sure some of those guys were on very good teams, but a lot were on mediocre to good teams (teams with win totals in the 40's).  You can't be on a bad team and win it, but you don't have to be on a great team either.

True, but last year  an arguably inferior candidate won, likely because he was on a better team.