Helena Frye
In basketball, the sixth man is a player who starts the game on the bench but plays minutes comparable to a player in the starting five. They are usually good enough players to be included in the closing lineup and are often used to provide an offensive punch when the main star is sitting. The sixth man should be flexible enough to play with different lineups and bring energy off the bench. The National Basketball Association (NBA) awards a Sixth Man of the Year Award to the league's best-performing player coming off the bench as a substitute. Notable winners of this award include Manu Ginóbili, James Harden, and Jamal Crawford.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Award | National Basketball Association's Sixth Man of the Year (6MOY) |
| Award criteria | Player's performance as a substitute or sixth man |
| Player type | Guard, forward, defensive-oriented point guard, or a player with a different specialty |
| Player quality | Elite, high-scoring, or a player with good enough skills to be in the closing lineup |
| Player role | Brings energy off the bench, flexible with different lineups, and maintains offensive and defensive momentum |
| Strategy | Wait for the game to develop, then step in to take advantage of the opponent's weak spots |
| Notable sixth men | Manu Ginóbili, James Harden, Jamal Crawford, Lamar Odom, Kevin McHale, Leandro Barbosa, Toni Kukoč, Ben Gordon, and more |
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What You'll Learn
The '6th Man Award'
The 6th Man Award, also known as the Sixth Man of the Year Award, is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) award. It has been given to the league's best-performing player who comes off the bench as a substitute since the 1982-83 NBA season. The award focuses on how many games a player starts, with the winner needing to have come off the bench in more games than they have started.
The award is decided by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters from across the United States and Canada, who each cast a first, second, and third-place vote. The first-place vote is worth five points, the second-place vote is worth three, and the third-place vote is worth one point. The player with the highest number of points wins the award, regardless of the number of first-place votes they receive.
The award was first introduced to recognise the value of players who are not starters but still make a significant impact on their team's performance. These players are often good enough to be included in the closing lineup and are used to provide an offensive punch when the main stars are sitting out.
Some notable winners of the 6th Man Award include Manu Ginóbili, Detlef Schrempf, Leandro Barbosa, Toni Kukoč, and Ben Gordon. These five players are the only award winners not born in the United States.
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Notable 6th men
In basketball, the "sixth man" is a term used to describe a player who consistently starts the game on the bench but still plays a significant number of minutes and makes impactful contributions to the team's success. This player is usually the first substitute off the bench and often provides a spark of energy and productivity when the starting players are resting. Sixth men are often key contributors and play almost as many minutes as the starters, bringing offensive firepower or defensive intensity to the court. They are usually versatile and can fill multiple roles, providing depth and flexibility to the team's lineup.
Now, let's take a look at some notable sixth men who have made a significant impact on the court:
- Manu Ginobili: One of the most renowned sixth men in recent memory, Manu Ginobili spent the majority of his career coming off the bench for the San Antonio Spurs. With his relentless energy and versatility, Ginobili could play multiple positions and provided instant offense with his slashing ability and three-point shooting. He was a key contributor to the Spurs' multiple championship runs and was even named the Sixth Man of the Year in 2008.
- James Harden: Before becoming an MVP-caliber starter, James Harden honed his craft as the sixth man for the Oklahoma City Thunder. During the 2011-12 season, Harden thrived in this role, providing instant offense and playmaking off the bench. He won the Sixth Man of the Year award that season, showcasing his ability to impact the game without starting.
- Jason Terry: Known for his clutch shooting and energetic play, Jason Terry spent a significant portion of his career as a sixth man for various teams. Whether it was with the Dallas Mavericks, where he won a championship, or later in his career with teams like the Boston Celtics, Terry provided instant offense and leadership whenever he stepped on the court.
- Lamar Odom: A versatile forward with excellent playmaking skills, Lamar Odom excelled as a sixth man for the Los Angeles Lakers during their championship runs in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Odom could play multiple positions and provided a unique skill set off the bench, often filling up the stat sheet with points, rebounds, and assists. His ability to facilitate and create for others made him an invaluable contributor.
- Kevin McHale: During the 1980s, Kevin McHale was a pivotal sixth man for the dominant Boston Celtics teams led by Larry Bird. McHale provided a scoring punch off the bench with his post moves and mid-range jumper. He was a key contributor to the Celtics' multiple championships during that era and is considered one of the greatest sixth men in NBA history.
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6th man strategy
The "sixth man" in basketball refers to a player who comes off the bench as a substitute. The sixth man is typically a talented player who provides an offensive punch when the main star is sitting out, and they are good enough to be included in the closing lineup.
The sixth man strategy involves bringing in a substitute player who can maintain or improve the team's performance without causing a drop-off in scoring. This strategy can be employed in two ways:
Immediate Impact
The sixth man enters the game and immediately contributes to the team's scoring and overall performance. This requires the sixth man to be a skilled and versatile player who can fill multiple roles on the court. They should be able to handle the ball, make accurate passes, and create scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates.
Strategic Advantage
Rather than bringing in the sixth man immediately, the team can choose to wait for the game to develop. This allows the sixth man to observe and identify the opponent's weaknesses. Once they enter the game, they can exploit those weaknesses and create strategic advantages for their team. This tactic was famously used by Theo Papaloukas for CSKA, Olympiacos, and the Greece men's national basketball team.
The sixth man should be a strong all-around player, capable of filling multiple roles on the court. They can be a guard, forward, or center, depending on the team's needs.
Guards
Guards are the primary ball handlers and passers for their team. As a sixth man, a guard should be able to dribble without errors, make accurate passes, and knock down jump shots. Their passing skills are crucial for creating scoring opportunities and maintaining a smooth offense. Additionally, guards should be quick on their feet, making it difficult for the opposing team to catch passes or take shots.
Post Players
Post players contribute to the team's defense by blocking or contesting shots. Their presence in the post can deter smaller players from taking easy shots. On offense, post players should be able to score in the post, either with their back to the basket or by turning and facing the rim. They should also be able to knock down open jump shots and create scoring opportunities through screening.
The sixth man strategy allows teams to bring in talented substitutes who can maintain or improve the team's performance. By utilizing the immediate impact or strategic advantage approach, the sixth man can contribute to the team's success and potentially become a critical piece, as seen with players like Manu Ginóbili, Lamar Odom, and Jamal Crawford.
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6th man in modern NBA
The "sixth man" is a basketball term for a player who comes off the bench as a substitute. In the NBA, the Sixth Man of the Year (6MOY) award is given annually to the league's best-performing player in this role. The award was first introduced in the 1982–83 NBA season, with Bobby Jones of the Philadelphia 76ers being the inaugural winner. The most recent winner, for the 2023–24 season, is Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The sixth man is typically a guard who provides instant scoring off the bench while leading the team's second unit. They are good enough players to be included in the closing lineup, which is often smaller and more focused on shooting and defensive switchability. The sixth man role is important in the modern NBA, with some of the best teams of all time having memorable sixth men.
Jamal Crawford, who played for the Los Angeles Clippers, is considered by some to be the greatest sixth man in NBA history. He won the Sixth Man of the Year award a record-tying three times, and his scoring ability and crossover dribble made him a highly effective player in this role. Other notable sixth men in the modern NBA include Lou Williams, Kevin McHale, Manu Ginóbili, and James Harden.
In recent years, there has been some debate about whether the concept of the "true" sixth man is becoming redundant in the NBA. Some argue that the traditional archetype of the sixth man as a high-scoring guard is not always accurate, and that teams need solid role players rather than just high-scoring substitutes to win at a high level. Additionally, there have been cases where players who fit the starter calibre and are critical to their team's success, such as Boris Diaw of the 2014 Spurs, do not fit the traditional archetype of a sixth man but still play a majority of their games in that role.
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Historical accuracy of the 6th man
The 'sixth man' in basketball refers to a player who starts the game on the bench but still makes a significant impact on the game. They are usually one of the best players on the team, providing an offensive punch when the main star is sitting, and are good enough to be included in the closing lineup.
The sixth man award, officially known as the National Basketball Association's Sixth Man of the Year (6MOY), has been given out annually by the NBA since the 1982-83 season. The award goes to the league's best-performing player who comes off the bench as a substitute. To be eligible, a player must come off the bench in more games than they start.
The concept of the sixth man is often associated with specific players who have excelled in this role, such as James Harden, Manu Ginóbili, and Jamal Crawford. However, the idea that the sixth man is typically an elite, high-scoring guard is not historically accurate. Instead, the sixth man can be any player who provides value to the team when they enter the game, whether it be through scoring, playmaking, or defence.
The strategy of utilising a strong sixth man is often credited to legendary Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach, who first used guard Frank Ramsey in this role during the Celtics' dynasty years. Since then, many teams have employed this tactic to great effect, including the Chicago Bulls with Toni Kukoč and the San Antonio Spurs with Manu Ginóbili.
While the sixth man award and the concept of a sixth man player are well-established in the NBA, the definition and impact of this role may vary across different teams and playing styles. Some commentators argue that the traditional sixth man role is becoming less common, with teams now opting to start their best players and utilise different strategies to manage their playing time.
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Frequently asked questions
A 6th man in basketball is a player who starts the game on the bench but plays minutes comparable to one of the players in the starting 5. They are good enough to be included in the closing lineup and provide an offensive punch when the main star is sitting.
A good 6th man should be flexible enough to play with different lineups and bring energy off the bench. They should be able to keep the offensive and defensive momentum of the game going and avoid scoring droughts.
Some notable 6th men in the NBA include Manu Ginobili, James Harden, Jamal Crawford, Leandro Barbosa, and Lamar Odom.
