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The Case for Domantas Sabonis as the Sixth Man of the Year

By Luke Parrish

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 23: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers looks on against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on February 23, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 23: Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers looks on against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on February 23, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Domantas Sabonis is the leader of the Indiana Pacers bench unit. His performance this season has put him in consideration for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award.

It may be time for someone to dethrone guards from the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award. Guards have dominated the trophy, winning each of the last seven. Four of those seven belong to Lou Williams and Jamal Crawford. Only one forward has won the award since the 2003-04 season. But it is time for a change. Indiana Pacers center Domantas Sabonis has been the best bench player in the NBA this season. He has helped the Pacers stay near the top of the Eastern Conference with his exceptional play.

A strong end to the season should earn Sabonis the sixth man award.

How Has Sabonis Contributed?

The big man is nearly averaging a double-double off the bench, with 14.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. In 59 games so far, Sabonis has 47 games with double-figure scoring. He has 27 games of at least 10 rebounds, and seven with at least 15. On the season, he has totaled 24 double-doubles.

He has scored the ball very well inside. His 14.3 points come on .610/.571/.729 shooting splits. While Domas hasn’t shot a ton of threes, he has knocked down the shots he’s attempted.

With the help of Domantas Sabonis, the Indiana Pacers have the best bench in the NBA.  They rank in the top-10 in points, rebounds, assists, and field goal percentage. The Pacers bench is also the best in the league in plus-minus.

How Does He Stack Up?

Sabonis’ 14.3 points are good for tenth in the NBA among sixth men. The aforementioned Lou Williams leads the pack with 19.9 points per contest. Domantas is second among bench players with 9.3 rebounds per game, behind Enes Kanter. His 2.7 assists per game are nothing to laugh at either, especially for a center. However, Lou Williams leads the group again here, with 5.4 assists per game.

Williams sees a little bit more of the court each game than Sabonis. Williams averages 26.3 minutes while Sabonis averages 24.9. No matter how you cut it, these two are incredible off the bench for their respective teams.

The Clippers are currently 34-28, good for seventh in the Western Conference. Their bench is also one of the best in the league, currently holding the third-best plus-minus in the league.

Derrick Rose will get a lot of attention as a candidate, but he may not qualify. His best games this season have come as a starter, although he has come off the bench a majority of the time.

A Look at the Past

Lou Williams won the award back in 2014-15 for the first time of his career. In that season, he averaged 15.5 points and 2.1 assists. Williams shot just 40.4 percent from the field that year, one of the worst marks of his career to this point.

Last season, Williams won the award for the second time. This time, he was much more deserving. In 79 games, Williams averaged 22.9 points and 5.3 assists, both career highs at the time. His assists are a little higher this season. He shot 43.5 percent from the field last year, his best mark since 2010.

Williams played more minutes last season than this season, so his per 36 minutes numbers are crucial. He is up 2.5 points and 1.6 assists per 36 minutes this season from last. He’s still been one of the best bench players in the league, if not the best.

Keeping Sabonis on the Bench

Many have wondered when Domantas Sabonis would be in the starting lineup. However, his contributions off the bench are much more valuable to this team right now.

Coach Nate McMillan would agree. With Myles Turner out for the first two games after the all-star break, McMillan decided to give Kyle O’Quinn the starts, leaving Sabonis with the bench where he thrives.

While the future is bright with a potential Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner starting front-court, Sabonis has a nice fit with the bench right now.

Two-Way Race

It appears that the sixth-man award will come down to two guys this year. Lou Williams has the pedigree and the numbers to win it again this year. He has been a great offensive player throughout his career, and this season is no different. However, Domantas Sabonis is having an incredible season for a better team, giving him a chance. If Sabonis continues his superb play, he will be recognized.

Looking at the per 36 minutes for Williams, how does he compare to Sabonis? Williams currently has the advantage in points, with 27.3 points per 36. Sabonis, on the other hand, is averaging 20.6 points and 13.4 rebounds.

dark. Next. How Edmond Sumner’s new contract affects 2019 free agency

Domantas Sabonis has improved a ton this year and looks to be the first big to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award since Antwan Jamison in 2003-04. The numbers don’t lie, the Indiana Pacers center he has earned the opportunity to be named the best bench player in the NBA.

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