The award portion of the OKC Thunder 30 for 30 round table continues as T.I. writers ponder if anyone can catch Dennis Schroder for Sixth Man of the Year.
Prior to the suspension of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the OKC Thunder was in the thick of the stretch run. The hope is the league will return to complete a portion or all of the remaining regular-season matches and then dive into the playoffs.
Through 64 games the Thunder amassed a 40-24 record and sit in fifth place on the Western Ladder. OKC relies on constancy of play (since Thanksgiving) are among the best road teams and the kings of clutch time. What makes the Thunder particularly difficult in the clutch is the use of the three point guard lineup. The only difference from the starting rotation is the insertion of Dennis Schroder to replace initially Terrance Ferguson and more recently Luguentz Dort.
The German is having a career year and is often the scoring spark to the clutch rotation. His performance has many in the Association believing he is a lock to win the Sixth Man of the Year Award.
In question nine of the OKC Thunder roundtable the Thunderous Intentions writing team considers if Schroder has in fact locked up the award and who his main competition is..
With that, I give you question nine from the series…
Q9: Who is Dennis Schroder’s prime competition for Sixth Man and how realistic is it the Thunder guard will win the award?
Shontelle Matano:
I believe Dennis Schroder should and will win the Sixth Man of the year. His prime competition is Lou Williams of the Clippers.
But the reason why I think Schroder will edge him out is because of how important he is to OKC. Though he comes off the bench he plays like a starter, has improved in so many areas of his game and became a go to guy.
He’s part of one of the most lethal lineups in the league and brought force to OKC’s three guard team. Schroder is also putting up more points than Williams with 19.0. Also adding 4.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds per night.
Dustin McGowen:
Dennis Schroder will be the NBA sixth man of the year. His stats are just too hard to ignore. He has 19 points per game while shooting almost 47 percent from the field. The only player that may be close is Lou Williams, not just because of his nearly identical stats, but because he has won the award so many times. Voters might be inclined to extrapolate results based on past performance in an abbreviated season.
Rylan Stiles:
Weirdly enough, much like the MVP Race, there is not really a close competition here. I think this is far and away Dennis Schroder’s award. My second would have to be Davis Bertans, the Wizards sharpshooter that has helped Scott Brooks unlock a true offensive system for the first time in his coaching career.
Matthew Hallett:
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Dennis Schroeder should be a lock for the award. He has been the best man off the bench all season. He is part of the closing lineup and a huge part of the success of the Thunder. Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams are his main competition. Both being on the LA Clippers their success is tied up with each other.
Tamberlyn Richardson:
Schroder will be the leading candidate to take the hardware but at least a handful of players merit consideration. For the first time in years, Lou Williams has competition and it’s not just members of his own team (Montrezl Harrell).
Although the Clippers boast the top scoring bench others like the Wizards and Pistons also rank high relying on Davis Bertans and Christian Wood respectively. The Pistons forward is likely to see more shine as a Most Improved option since his breakthrough occurred after he moved into the starting rotation
Likewise, each of Norman Powell and Serge Ibaka could make strong cases but the sheer number of injuries the Raptors suffered found both often playing as starters.
Jonas Valanciunas of the Memphis Grizzlies has shined in a bench role and as a young vet has been key to helping his young bigs develop.
But there is no denying the Thunder clutch time dominance and Schroder is intrinsic to that unit.
Wednesday offers up question10 with a view to most improved and where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander factors.
Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section. Wishing everyone a safe and healthy day.