Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams
Is this even a conversation? Sure, Montrezl Harrell has been phenomenal in the second unit for LAC this season, but the best bench player on the Clippers (and in the extended NBA) is clearly Lou Williams.
Entering the season, Williams’ odds were similar to that of the Clippers; Hardly anyone believed in him. He was on the verge of being 32 years old and coming off a season where he posted a career high usage percentage (32.4 percent).
Julius Randle was receiving consideration, as were Domantas Sabonis and Spencer Dinwiddie, but these guys either started too many games, weren’t consistent enough, or missed too much time. Williams’ replicating his production from the previous season was unexpected. But after witnessing him do it and show up his competition, he is the undoubted Sixth Man of the Year.
His box score stats are nearly identical to last year’s — an incredible feat, considering he did so in six less minutes per game. This year though, Williams led the Clippers to the playoffs. They started out the season as one of the top seeds, but steadily fell through the standings to the eight spot. His performances can make or break the Clippers more than any player on the roster. If Lou is making every shot he takes, it’s safe to put a tally in the win column in advance. If Williams is struggling, it spells out certain doom for the team. Luckily, more often than not, Williams is scoring in volumes.
If Williams wins the actual NBA award this summer, he will tie Jamal Crawford for most Sixth Man of the Year awards at three. Oddly enough, both Crawford and Williams would have two of their three awards from time spent on the Clippers. This franchise has great sixth men and Williams will be the next winner.