OKC Thunder: Dennis Schroder is in a dog fight for the Sixth Man award
If voters examine Schroder’s clutch time stats – it’s no contest!
The major selling point comes via the clutch time segment of the game or final five minutes of a match when teams are within five points of each other. The entire Thunder clutch time line-up excels in this segment. Schroder is no exception and his advanced clutch time stats are remarkable. Under NBA stats, I entered a stipulation of at least 20 games and three minutes played (of the five in clutch time) to cut away players who have experience in one or two games.
With those stipulations, Schroder stands head and shoulders above his Clippers counterparts for clutch time offensive, defensive and net differential ranking:
Schroder:
- Offensive rank – 8th – (123.2)
- Defensive rank – 1st (85.3)
- Net Differential – 1st (+37.8).
Harrell:
- Offensive rank – 16th (118.2)
- Defensive rank – 76th (116.1)
- Net Differential – 40th (+2.1)
Williams:
- Offensive rank – 15th (118.9)
- Defensive rank – 70th (113.9)
- Net Differential – 36th (+5.0)
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Those clutch time stats are telling and while the OKC Thunder are the kings of clutch time let’s not forget Harrell and Williams both benefit from two top 10 superstars in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George being on the court with them in these circumstances.
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Moreover, the fact Schroder has played in 39 clutch time situations versus 24 for Williams and 27 for Harrell should’ve resulted in the Clippers duo having better stats since these situations are the most pressure-packed. Yet, its Schroder who dominates.
Ultimately there will be a strong bias for writers who favor the LA teams. Run through the panel and you’ll find some expert’s preference for both Frank Vogel and Anthony Davis as Coach of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
With all due respect having two top five superstars and a relatively healthy roster shouldn’t out trump what Nick Nurse has miraculously done this season (not to mention Billy Donovan got no love from the panel). Neither is there an argument I can find that puts Davis even remotely close to Giannis Antetokounmpo as the best defender.
While the Greek Freak’s defensive stats border All-Time benchmarks. I can understand Bam Adebayo given the number of youngsters on the Heat but with Miami ranking 14th defensively it isn’t enough to merit him surpassing Antetokounmpo.
But, I digress from the topic at hand. With the information at hand who deserves to win Sixth Man of the Year?