'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
We are about to dive into the second month of the 2021-22 NBA regular season. This is the month in which teams start to make noise about their aspirations for the rest of the year. While some teams can struggle to get going early in the season, this upcoming stretch is usually where teams start to "wake up" and get back on the right track.
As of right now, a number of teams have started to climb the rankings.
Teams such as the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns have found themselves scorching atop the Western Conference standings. In the East, the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets continue to perch atop of the standings.
A number of players on successful teams in the opening month have found themselves on the Sixth Man of the Year power rankings as of late. Let's look at this week's updated installment, which features a couple of "new" names.
No. 5: Jalen Brunson
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 14; Games won - 9; Games lost - 5
Last Week: PPG - 15.3, APG - 5.3, RPG - 2.7
Overall: PPG - 15.3, APG - 5.0, RPG - 4.7
Last Week: FG% - 51.5%, 3P% - 25.0%, FT% - 90.9%
Overall: FG% - 50.0%, 3P% - 35.4%, FT% - 78.4%
The Dallas Mavericks (9-5) have had a surprisingly solid start. Although this team features plenty of intriguing firepower behind players such as Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, there has been another name who has started to thrive lately. Jalen Brunson has become a sensational asset for this organization over the last couple of years with his play off the bench.
Brunson has continued to be a consistent force with his production on a nightly basis. Brunson is averaging 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 50% from the field. He makes his debut on the Sixth Man of the Year power rankings.
No. 4: Buddy Hield
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 0; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 15; Games won - 6; Games lost - 9
Last Week: PPG - 13.3, APG - 3.0, RPG - 2.7
Overall: PPG - 17.0, APG - 2.1, RPG - 4.4
Last Week: FG% - 35.7%, 3P% - 31.0%, FT% - 50.0%
Overall: FG% - 41.0, 3P% - 40.0%, FT% - 80%
Although the Sacramento Kings (6-9) have struggled, sharpshooting wing Buddy Hield has still been an impressive contributor off the bench. Hield struggled with his percentages in last week's games, but his numbers have still been impressive. The team has a challenging slate of games on the upcoming schedule.
Hield has been lethal from the outside, and his contribution as a Sixth Man of the Year type of presence cannot be overstated. On the season, Hield is averaging 17.0 ppg while shooting 40% from downtown. After falling out of the top five last week, Hield climbs back up to fourth in this week's rankings.
No. 3: Jordan Clarkson
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 15; Games won - 10; Games lost - 5
Last Week: PPG - 17.3, APG - 2.3, RPG - 2.7
Overall: PPG - 15.2, APG - 1.9, RPG - 2.9
Last Week: FG% - 39.5%, 3P% - 31.3%, FT% - 100%
Overall: FG% - 35.8%, 3P% - 25.9%, FT% - 90.3%
It seems as if each week the story remains the same with Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson. The Jazz (10-5) have continued to be one of the stronger teams in the Western Conference, while Clarkson has shown signs of life but has struggled with consistency as a shooter.
It seems as if it's only a matter of time before Clarkson catches fire and starts to make some noise in these rankings. Last year's NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Clarkson will have his work cut out if he wants to try to catch the competition on this list. So far this year he's averaging 15.2 ppg and is shooting 35.8% from the field.
No. 2: Montrezl Harrell
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 15; Games won - 10; Games lost - 5
Last Week: PPG - 19.0, APG - 3.7, RPG - 7.0
Overall: PPG - 17.4, APG - 2.4, RPG - 8.5
Last Week: FG% - 68.8, 3P% - N/A%, FT% - 100%
Overall: FG% - 64.0%, 3P% - 16.7%, FT% - 81.9%
Montrezl Harrell continues to be one of the most impressive offseason additions for any team in the NBA this year. Harrell has been magnificent with his play off the bench for the Washington Wizards. After a disappointing previous season with the LA Lakers, Harrell has sparked life back into his game with the Wizards.
The team has been thriving as well, with Washington (10-5) among the Eastern Conference leaders. It was another strong week for the Wizards and Harrell, as the energetic forward averaged 19.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while shooting 68.8% from the field. He continues to be second on this list.
No. 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 - 15; Games won - 10; Games lost - 5
Last Week: PPG - 22.0, APG - 3.3, RPG - 5.5
Overall: PPG - 21.7, APG - 3.9, RPG - 5.5
Last Week: FG% - 42.5, 3P% - 26.7%, FT% - 92.3%
Overall: FG% - 45.4%, 3P% - 38.9%, FT% - 87.5%
It remains to be seen if anyone in the NBA can knock Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro off the top of the Sixth Man of the Year power rankings. Herro has simply been too good for the rest of the competition. The play of the sharpshooting wing, who has seen a jump in production across the board, has been a major reason why the Miami Heat (11-5) have been one of the NBA's best teams.
Although the Heat struggled last week, Herro still produced when the team needed him. He averaged 22.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 26.7% from 3-point range. Although it was a bad stretch of games, Herro still continues to be one of the most dangerous bench assets in the entire NBA. He's going to be a tough one to catch for Sixth Man of the Year.
Guess the Lakers players!
