Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon should win Sixth Man award hands down
The Boston Celtics have looked like true title contenders for most of the 2022-2023 NBA regular season.
With one game left on Sunday, they look poised and ready for a first round matchup with either the Miami Heat or Atlanta Hawks.
But why have they looked like even bigger title contenders this year as opposed to last year?
Sure, you could say it’s the continued development of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Yes, you can maybe say first year head coach Joe Mazzulla has something to do with it too. But one piece we need to talk about more is Malcolm Brogdon.
If you recall on July 9th 2022, Brodgon was traded from the Pacers to the Celtics in exchange for five players and a 2023 first round draft pick. He was brought in to help guide the second unit as the sixth man for this Celtics team.
With the way Brogdon has been playing this year, it’s easy to say that the Celtics should have the Sixth Man of the Year in Brogdon.
Boston Celtics having an elite player off the bench in Malcolm Brogdon
Malcolm Brogdon is a perfect fit for this second unit. He can score off the dribble, knock down the three, and set other players up on offense.
Malcolm Brogdon is the only NBA player that ranks among the top 3 in scoring, rebounding, and assisting among players who haven't started a game.
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) April 7, 2023
14.9 PPG (1st)
4.2 RPG (3rd)
3.7 APG (2nd)
And he's 4th among all players in 3-point percentage (44.4%).#SixthManOfTheYear pic.twitter.com/0gRwzAC93Y
Now take a look at this stat from Taylor Snow. The former Virginia point guard is first in scoring, third in rebounding, second in assists, and fourth in 3-point percentage amongst players who haven’t started a game. That’s hard to do when you’re not playing starter minutes!
But it’s a credit to how good Malcolm Brogdon actually is for this team. He comes in and can make things happen immediately. Those numbers don’t just happen by accident. Considering Brogdon was Rookie of the Year in 2017 and the leading scorer for the Pacers the past few seasons; his production shouldn’t be surprising.
Boston Celtics having a leader in Malcolm Brogdon
Jayson and Jaylen are leaders in their own way. But having Malcolm Brogdon on the court with the second unit or even the first unit makes this team reach another level.
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When you have one of the two Jays off the court, it helps to have Brogdon as another scoring option. It’s a great thing that his basketball IQ is so high and he can feel the game out.
If the Celtics need a bucket, the 6-foot-4 guard can go get that. If somebody else is going, Brogdon can make sure the ball is in that person’s hand on a consistent basis.
He also says all of the right things and goes about his business as a professional should!
Brogdon should win the Sixth Man of the Year award this season. No ifs, ands, or buts about it! If you’re a betting person, I’d sprinkle some toward it.
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He’s been an unbelievable addition to this Celtics team. Now we just need to make sure he’s ready for (hopefully) a long postseason run. If he goes down. it’ll be a huge blow to this team’s title chances.