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The 2021-22 NBA season continues to heat up and there are a number of teams throughout the league who have impressed with their play on the court early on. With each passing week that goes by across the league, a new slate of teams are starting to make their case as they move up the standings in their respective conferences.
Teams such as the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors have put the rest of the NBA on notice with their impressive start to the season in the Western Conference. In the East, fans have been in awe of recent play from the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls. As the year continues to march on, it also means that the race for some of the top end-of-season awards is going to get even more competitive as well. Let's take a look at this week's updated Sixth Man of the Year power rankings.
No. 5: Jalen Brunson
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 23; Games won - 12; Games lost - 11
Last Week: PPG - 13.3, APG - 3.5, RPG - 1.8
Overall: PPG - 14.3, APG - 5.0, RPG - 3.8
Last Week: FG% - 47.9%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 66.7%
Overall: FG% - 48.7%, 3P% - 32.9%, FT% - 76.7%
After falling out of the Sixth Man of the Year power rankings last week, Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson is back in the fifth overall spot. Brunson continues to be a solid asset off the bench for the Mavericks this year. Considered to be one of the more underrated players in the league, Brunson stands out on the court with his feel for the game and basketball IQ.
With the Mavericks currently finding themselves with a 12-12 record this year, the team is going to need someone to step up and get them back up in the standings in the Western Conference. Brunson could be that player, as he has become a crucial part of the team's success with his contributions as a sixth man. In his last week, Brunson went on to average 13.3 points and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 47.9% from the field.
No. 4: Jordan Clarkson
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 25; Games won - 18; Games lost - 7
Last Week: PPG - 13.3, APG - 1.7, RPG - 3.3
Overall: PPG - 14.8, APG - 2.0, RPG - 3.1
Last Week: FG% - 33.3%, 3P% - 37.0%, FT% - 66.7%
Overall: FG% - 37.1%, 3P% - 30.4%, FT% - 80.9%
After winning the Sixth Man of the Year award last year, many thought that Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson could be a favorite to repeat this year as well. Although Clarkson hasn't been as efficient as the previous year, he's still been an important part of the team's success this season. Clarkson continues to find himself right in the middle of discussions when it comes to the top bench assets in the entire NBA.
He's still struggling to find his shot, but Clarkson has put up a number of impressive performances to help the Jazz climb the rankings in the West. Utah currently finds itself with an 18-7 record and they will continue to be dangerous, especially if Clarkson starts to find his rhythm on a more consistent level. In his last week of play, Clarkson went on to average 13.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting just 33.3% from the field.
No. 3: Kelly Oubre Jr
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 27; Games won - 14 Games lost - 13
Last Week: PPG - 23.7, APG - 1.7, RPG - 2.7
Overall: PPG - 16.7, APG - 1.1, RPG - 4.1
Last Week: FG% - 58.3%, 3P% - 50.0%, FT% - 28.6%
Overall: FG% - 46.0%, 3P% - 38.5%, FT% - 64.9%
Making his debut for the first time this year in the Sixth Man of the Year power rankings is Charlotte Hornets wing Kelly Oubre Jr. The journeyman wing has started to generate some serious buzz around the league with his play as of late for the Hornets. Oubre has built a reputation throughout his career as being a player who can catch fire from the floor in a hurry.
He has become a dynamic weapon on the offensive side of the ball with his ability to score at multiple levels. It was an impressive previous week for Oubre as he went on to average 23.7 points per game while shooting an eye-opening 58.3% from the field and 50.0% from downtown. If Oubre can keep up this type of production for the Hornets, he's going to be a serious contender in the Sixth Man of the Year conversations.
No. 2: Montrezl Harrell
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 26; Games won - 15; Games lost - 11
Last Week: PPG - 11.5, APG - 3.0, RPG - 8.0
Overall: PPG - 15.2, APG - 2.2, RPG - 8.0
Last Week: FG% - 65.5%, 3P% - 0%, FT% - 57.1%
Overall: FG% - 64.8%, 3P% - 25.0%, FT% - 75.2%
Another week in the Sixth Man of the Year power rankings features Washington Wizards forward Montrezl Harrell staying put at the second overall spot. Harrell continues to be one of the most impressive bench pieces in the entire league. After struggling last year with the Los Angeles Lakers, Harrell has looked like the player of old this year with the Wizards. He's been known around the league for his rebounding ability, but Harrell continues to fill up the scoring column this year as well.
In his previous week of games, Harrell went on to average 11.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while shooting 65.5% from the field. The Washington Wizards have been one of the pleasant surprises around the NBA this year, and Harrell continues to be a big reason why the team has had such great success.
No. 1: Tyler Herro
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 23; Games won - 14; Games lost - 9
Last Week: PPG - 18.0, APG - 4.3, RPG - 5.0
Overall: PPG - 20.8, APG - 3.8, RPG - 5.3
Last Week: FG% - 35.7%, 3P% - 35.3%, FT% - 80.0%
Overall: FG% - 44.4%, 3P% - 39.2%, FT% - 86.4%
The Miami Heat have had to deal with some nagging injuries to a number of key players in their rotation as of late, meaning that their impressive young guard Tyler Herro will have to carry the load. Herro has been outstanding for the Heat this year and has become a runaway favorite to win the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award. Although it wasn't his strongest week production-wise, Herro still put up some impressive numbers across the board.
In his last week of play, Herro averaged 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting just 35.7% from the field. His production this year has been outstanding and it could have simply just been an off week for Herro. Even with a disappointing week when it comes to shooting percentages, Herro has been too impressive this year not to find himself at the top of the power rankings.
