duncan228
12-21-2008, 12:44 AM
NBA Beat: A Sixth Man Sense (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/NBA_Beat_A_Sixth_Man_Sense.html)
Mike Monroe
In an aside to reporters on the day the NBA presented its Sixth Man Award to Manu Ginobili last spring, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich suggested that Ginobili planned to display the trophy in a spot that would not afford easy viewing by anyone.
Translation: Only Popovich’s insistence that Ginobili come off the bench, instead of starting, had allowed the Spurs guard to win an award he never cared to accept.
Well, there is good news for Ginobili this season. Even though Popovich’s pledge to put him back in the starting lineup “in perpetuity” lasted only four games, there are several other players who likely will keep Ginobili from having a second sixth man trophy to toss in the junk drawer at his home.
Here is a look at the players who have become the league’s best at coming off the bench, including both Ginobili and the Rockets’ Ron Artest, the defensive ace who has embraced his role, coming in for Shane Battier (listed with statistical per-game averages):
Manu Ginobili, Spurs
Of the 13 games he has played since returning to the lineup after offseason ankle surgery, nine have been off the bench. His numbers don’t match up to those of his Sixth Man Award season, but he will be more productive as the season goes on.
Points: 15.2 Rebounds: 4.5 Assists: 3.5
Jason Terry, Mavericks
The Mavericks’ “Jet” is another former starter whose coach likes the spark his team gets when he comes off the bench. He is the unquestioned leader among reserves thus far this season.
Points: 21.2 Rebounds: 3.0 Assists: 3.9
Ron Artest, Rockets
His move to the bench is such a recent change — he has started 21 of 23 games — that he would not qualify for the Sixth Man Award were it to be handed out now. But if Shane Battier stays healthy, the plan is to use Artest in a prominent reserve role the rest of the season.
Points: 15.7 Rebounds: 5.9 Assists: 3.2
Lamar Odom, Lakers
He has whined a lot about having to come off the bench behind Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, but Odom has also been pretty effective, especially rebounding, for the team with the best record in the Western Conference. Coach Phil Jackson isn’t apt to change things any time soon.
Points: 8.6 Rebounds: 6.2 Assists: 2.2
Andrei Kirilenko, Jazz
He has been an enigma for coach Jerry Sloan, who loves his defensive intensity but cringes at his occasional offensive idiosyncrasies. Moving Kirilenko to the bench has made him more effective.
Points: 12.1 Rebounds: 5.2 Assists: 3.0
Anderson Varejao, Cavaliers
The Cavs actually have two key reserves, Varejao and Wally Sczerbiak, but it is Varejao who is their true energy guy. He may be the only player in the league who could replace Ben Wallace and be even more intense about going after rebounds.
Points: 8.9 Rebounds: 6.7 Assists: 1.2
Mike Monroe
In an aside to reporters on the day the NBA presented its Sixth Man Award to Manu Ginobili last spring, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich suggested that Ginobili planned to display the trophy in a spot that would not afford easy viewing by anyone.
Translation: Only Popovich’s insistence that Ginobili come off the bench, instead of starting, had allowed the Spurs guard to win an award he never cared to accept.
Well, there is good news for Ginobili this season. Even though Popovich’s pledge to put him back in the starting lineup “in perpetuity” lasted only four games, there are several other players who likely will keep Ginobili from having a second sixth man trophy to toss in the junk drawer at his home.
Here is a look at the players who have become the league’s best at coming off the bench, including both Ginobili and the Rockets’ Ron Artest, the defensive ace who has embraced his role, coming in for Shane Battier (listed with statistical per-game averages):
Manu Ginobili, Spurs
Of the 13 games he has played since returning to the lineup after offseason ankle surgery, nine have been off the bench. His numbers don’t match up to those of his Sixth Man Award season, but he will be more productive as the season goes on.
Points: 15.2 Rebounds: 4.5 Assists: 3.5
Jason Terry, Mavericks
The Mavericks’ “Jet” is another former starter whose coach likes the spark his team gets when he comes off the bench. He is the unquestioned leader among reserves thus far this season.
Points: 21.2 Rebounds: 3.0 Assists: 3.9
Ron Artest, Rockets
His move to the bench is such a recent change — he has started 21 of 23 games — that he would not qualify for the Sixth Man Award were it to be handed out now. But if Shane Battier stays healthy, the plan is to use Artest in a prominent reserve role the rest of the season.
Points: 15.7 Rebounds: 5.9 Assists: 3.2
Lamar Odom, Lakers
He has whined a lot about having to come off the bench behind Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, but Odom has also been pretty effective, especially rebounding, for the team with the best record in the Western Conference. Coach Phil Jackson isn’t apt to change things any time soon.
Points: 8.6 Rebounds: 6.2 Assists: 2.2
Andrei Kirilenko, Jazz
He has been an enigma for coach Jerry Sloan, who loves his defensive intensity but cringes at his occasional offensive idiosyncrasies. Moving Kirilenko to the bench has made him more effective.
Points: 12.1 Rebounds: 5.2 Assists: 3.0
Anderson Varejao, Cavaliers
The Cavs actually have two key reserves, Varejao and Wally Sczerbiak, but it is Varejao who is their true energy guy. He may be the only player in the league who could replace Ben Wallace and be even more intense about going after rebounds.
Points: 8.9 Rebounds: 6.7 Assists: 1.2