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Another week is on the books for the 2021-22 NBA season and storylines across the league continue to build. Teams such as the Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards have impressed with their play throughout the opening month of the NBA season. Other teams have started to find their groove after a slow start, including the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets. This next month of action will be important for teams to start separating themselves in the standings as we wait to see who will cement themselves as NBA playoff contenders for the foreseeable future.
As each week of the NBA passes by, that means the buzz around certain awards in the league will start to heat up as well. The NBA Sixth Man of the Year award has always been one of the more underrated accolades in the league. Each year, a player shines with his play off the bench and becomes a crucial part of a team's success. This year, there's a talented crop of players that are all putting up eye-opening production to earn the award. Take a look at this week's latest power rankings for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award.
#5 Ricky Rubio
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 14; Games won - 9; Games lost - 5
Last Week: PPG - 19.5, APG - 7.8, RPG - 3.5
Overall: PPG - 13.7, APG - 6.9, RPG - 3.7
Last Week: FG% - 41.7, 3P% - 44.4%, FT% - 94.1%
Overall: FG% - 37.8, 3P% - 37.8%, FT% - 89.5%
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA throughout the opening month of games. While the team has had a number of impressive players step up, including rookie draft selection Evan Mobley, there's no denying that veteran guard Ricky Rubio has been a sensational addition for the Cavaliers. With a talented backcourt that featured Darius Garland and Collin Sexton, many were wondering what type of impact the crafty veteran could have in limited minutes. With the recent injury to Collin Sexton, Rubio has started to shine as an important part of the Cavs rotation.
With the Cavaliers finding themselves with a 9-5 record on the season, Rubio's play as of late has been a big reason why. In his last week, Rubio went on to average 19.5 points per game while shooting 44.4% from downtown. This included an impressive 37-point performance on the road against the New York Knicks. He makes his debut in this week's power rankings at number five.
#4 Carmelo Anthony
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 14; Games won - 6; Games lost - 8
Last Week: PPG - 14.8, APG - 0.8, RPG - 4.8
Overall: PPG - 16.0, APG - 0.9, RPG - 4.0
Last Week: FG% - 45.5, 3P% - 42.3%, FT% - 72.7%
Overall: FG% - 47.3, 3P% - 47.3%, FT% - 79.3%
Although the Los Angeles Lakers have been a popular team in the NBA & the basketball world as of late because of their inconsistent play, there's no doubt that veteran forward Carmelo Anthony has simply been outstanding with his play. With the Lakers dealing with a number of injuries, including superstar LeBron James, Anthony has thrived when called upon.
In his last week of play, Carmelo Anthony went on to post 14.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 45.5% from the field and 42.3% from downtown. Anthony has become a consistent option on offense for the Lakers and has done a great job of helping the team carve out a couple of tough wins. One of his most recent impressive performances was an overtime thriller that saw Anthony chip in 29 points on 9-of-13 (69.2%) shooting in a win against the Charlotte Hornets. Anthony continues to thrive and his production cannot be ignored, which is why he made his debut on the NBA Sixth Man of the Year power rankings at fourth overall.
#3 Jordan Clarkson
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 - 13; Games won - 8; Games lost - 5
Last Week: PPG - 14.7, APG - 2.5, RPG - 2.3
Overall: PPG - 15.1, APG - 1.8, RPG - 2.7
Last Week: FG% - 33.9%, 3P% - 27.9%, FT% - 100%
Overall: FG% - 35.6%, 3P% - 24.2%, FT% - 90.3%
It shouldn't be much of a surprise to see last year's Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson be involved as a potential candidate for this year's award. Although the crafty Utah Jazz guard has gotten off to a slow start when it comes to his shooting percentages, Clarkson still has put up some impressive numbers. It seems as if it's only a matter of time before Clarkson starts to find his groove and become more consistent with his production. A dangerous scoring threat at any time, Clarkson is a player who can suddenly get hot and start to put together a string of impressive games.
Clarkson has put up solid numbers in his last four games. He went on to average 14.7 points per game during the Jazz's last four games, but shot just 33.9% from the field. After finding himself ranked second last week, Clarkson fell one spot back to third overall.
#2 Montrezl Harrell
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 - 12; Games won - 9; Games lost - 3
Last Week: PPG - 19.0, APG - 3.7, RPG - 7.0
Overall: PPG - 18.3, APG - 2.3, RPG - 9.0
Last Week: FG% - 68.8%, 3P% - N/A, FT% - 100%
Overall: FG% - 64.5%, 3P% - 20.0%, FT% - 84.1%
Washington Wizards forward Montrezl Harrell continues to be an outstanding contributor for the team this year. The Wizards have been one of the most impressive teams in the NBA during the opening month. They currently find themselves with a 9-3 record and find themselves at the top of the standings in the Eastern Conference. The team has been firing on all cylinders, as they currently have a four-game winning streak heading into this week's slate of games.
Harrell has continued to be sensational, as he went on to average 19.0 points and 7.0 rebounds last week while shooting 68.8% from the field. After finding himself ranked third in last week's power rankings, Harrell has moved up to second in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation.
#1 Tyler Herro
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 13; Games won - 8; Games lost - 5
Last Week: PPG - 22.0, APG - 3.3, RPG - 5.5
Overall: PPG - 21.5, APG - 3.7, RPG - 5.6
Last Week: FG% - 42.5%, 3P% - 26.7%, FT% - 92.3%
Overall: FG% - 45.8%, 3P% - 37.4%, FT% - 85.7%
It seems as if the basketball world is patiently waiting for Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro to slow down his impressive start to the 2021-22 NBA season. As of now, Herro continues to shine on the basketball court. Herro has found himself a contender for a number of awards this year, including Most Improved Player. The offensive guard has been a dangerous weapon off the bench for the Heat and has consistently put up big numbers throughout the year.
In his last four games, Herro went on to average 22.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 42.5% from the field. Herro struggled with his outside shots in his last week of play, but he is still one of the top assets off the bench in the entire NBA. He continues to find himself at the top of the Sixth Man of the Year rankings.
Guess the Lakers players!
