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Top 5 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Candidates at Quarter Mark

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By @AndrewPappas24

Top 5 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Candidates at Quarter Mark

Jamal Crawford Clippers
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Since 1983, the NBA has recognized the "sixth man" as a true position on a roster. Since its inception, the award has been given to 26 different players. Four men have won it twice -- one of whom is on this list for the top five candidates for Sixth Man of the Year so far this season.

5. Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls

Taj Gibson Bulls
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5. Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls

Taj Gibson Bulls
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Gibson recently missed six games with a sprained ankle, but that doesn’t keep him off this list. The Bulls’ super-sub does it all for Tom Thibodeau. He is a superb rim protector, averaging 1.4 blocks per game to go along with 12.3 points and 6.2 rebounds. He is shooting over 54 percent on the season and will continue to be the glue guy for Chicago’s second unit -- one of the best in the NBA.

4. Ryan Anderson, New Orleans Pelicans

Ryan Anderson Pelicans
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4. Ryan Anderson, New Orleans Pelicans

Ryan Anderson Pelicans
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Anderson, known as a pure shooter, is having the worst season of his career from behind the arc shooting just 31 percent, but that hasn’t affected his game as much as you might think. He is still averaging over 14 PPG to go along with five rebounds as the youthful Pelicans try to find their stride. The three-point shooting is likely an anomaly, so as that gets better, his case for sixth man of the year will only get stronger.

3. Gerald Green, Phoenix Suns

Gerald Green Suns
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3. Gerald Green, Phoenix Suns

Gerald Green Suns
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Green started 48 games last season, but he has come off the bench for all 23 so far this season. His production has continued to be impressive. Green is averaging over 14 PPG for the fifth-highest scoring team in the league. He can be a bit mercurial, but that can be said for many volume scorers in the league. As long as his productivity remains consistent, Green will remain in this conversation.

2. Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers

Jamal Crawford Clippers
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2. Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers

Jamal Crawford Clippers
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Crawford, a two-time winner of the award, was seemingly born to be a sixth man. His offensive explosiveness is an incredible weapon coming off the bench for the Clippers. He is a volume scorer with some of the best handles in the league. He can create his own shot, shoot coming off screens and even create for others, averaging over three assists a game.

1. Lou Williams, Toronto Raptors

Lou Williams Raptors
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1. Lou Williams, Toronto Raptors

Lou Williams Raptors
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Wiliiams was the most underrated offseason acquisition of 2014. The Raptors needed that high-scoring threat off their bench, and Lou-Will has been that man. He is shooting a career-high 37 percent from downtown while averaging 13.9 PPG and helping the Raptors become the highest scoring team in the Eastern Conference. He’s had four 20-plus point games, including a 36-point outbreak in a big win against Cleveland in November.

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