However, coach Steve Kerr is still leaning towards bringing Iguodala off the bench. After winning the NBA Finals with the Warriors and winning the Finals MVP, Iguodala would start on almost any other team in the league. READ: Ray Allen takes basketball coaching job at Miami prep schoolДЄndre Iguodala is the frontrunner for 6th man of the year by far. Averaging over 15 points a game and a productive guard, he would be hard to beat. Thomas is currently contending with Marcus Smart for the starting position and if Thomas does not make the squad, he could be a serious contender for 6th man of the year. вЂњHe may end up starting, he may end up coming off the bench, weвЂ™ll see how that goes,вЂќ said Stevens. He is an efficient player who has vastly improved and could possibly develop into an all-star point guard.Д¬oach Brad Stevens, however, is still unsure of ThomasвЂ™s potential. In the regular season, Thomas averaged 19 points per game and Shot 41 percent from the field. Thomas averaged 17.5 points per game but the Celtics could not keep up with the fast paced cavs and were swept in the first round. Now in the eastern conference, he led the Celtics to the playoffs with the 7th seed, where they battled the Cavaliers. After three successful years in Sacramento with the Kings, Thomas ended up in Boston with the Celtics. Isaiah Thomas was the 60th and final pick of the 2011 NBA draft, but he has sure made the most of his opportunity.

His offensive skill set and leadership can really improve a team through the bench. But youвЂ™ve got to take your lumps, and nobody thought it would be a lump like thisвЂќ.В Despite his poor shooting Crawford has become a leader at the 6th man role and can really boost an offense. Hopefully next year and in the years to come, IвЂ™ll be where I want to be. When asked about his inefficient shooting he said, вЂњIt was definitely a huge bump in the road. His dismal shooting percentages can be mostly accredited to his poor shot selection. He shot a poor 32 percent from behind the arch and 39 percent from the field. He averaged over 15 points per game this past season and Crawford holds the record for most 4 point plays in history with 40.ДЄlthough Crawford has quite the resume, he did not shoot the three point shot well this past season. Once in 2010 with the Hawks and once in 2014 with the Clippers.В At 6 ft 5 he has the versatility to run the point or drop down to a small forward so teams can play small ball, which is becoming more and more popular in the NBA. Jamal Crawford or вЂњJcrossoverвЂќ has won the NBA 6th man of the year award twice already. Smith may not be the most consistent player in the league but when he is hot, there is no stopping him. His athleticism and playmaking are a huge boost for a team. What makes him valuable is his sweet three point stroke, from which he shot almost 40 percent and 43 percent from the field. During the regular season smith averaged 12.7 points per game and in the NBA Finals he averaged 11.5 points in 6 games. They could not have done it without the help of J.R Smith. The Cleveland Cavaliers made a deep run into the playoffs this past season, making it all the way to the NBA Finals. With the Spurs revamping their roster and Ginobili returning, is it possible he could he have another breakout season? Manu has always been known to make clutch shots and is a future hall of famer, no doubt. Ginobili brings championship experience to the team.

He won the sixth man of the year award for the 2007-2008 season. It certainly came away as a positive when the Spurs came away with championships in 2003,20. Coach Gregg Popovich said, вЂњIвЂ™ve always felt guilty about it, but I do it anywaysвЂќ. In an interview with USA TodayвЂ™s Sam Amick he explained, вЂњItвЂ™s not as common as you think, given the success we have hadвЂќ. Ginobili however, is completely willing to come of the bench if it means prosperity for the team.

In the 2013-2014 finals rematch against the Miami Heat, he averaged 14.4 points per game and the Spurs won the finals in five games. Ginobili has the argument to be the greatest bench player ever. Manu Ginobili does not start in San Antonio despite the fact that he is one of the most skillful players in all of basketball.В He has made over one hundred million dollars in his career while being part of the reserves.

6th man of the year candidates