SB Nation’s Sixth Man Of The Year: Jamal Crawford

If you think Crawford is not the sixth man of the year, you clearly have the wrong definition for the award.

At first glance, Jamal seems to do (with more flash and brilliance mind you) what any number of NBA players could do if given the opportunity. Volume score, dish out a few assists, and rebound the ball when it hits you in the chest. The difference is Jamal does not need to be given the opportunity. He has the confidence and charm to shoot you into or out of a game with a smile. It can be hated, it has been hated, but this year Jamal hit those shots. This year no one came off the bench like Crawford. He entered games with a killer instinct. Every game. If you find that during many second quarters of NBA games, let me know.

Jamal was not the "we have five starters and happen to start one of them on the bench" situations. Crawford was, given positional requirements, the sixth best player, and from that position, he put games out of or back into reach in countless second quarters. He straight up won a few games in the fourth. If Crawford was shooting a career low from the floor instead of near a career best, would he be up for this award? Of course not. But he would still be a great sixth man, just one with a shorter leash. The fact remains though, a long leashed Jamal Crawford is a guy can drop 50 on you any night, and he believes it. I will save hustle for my ninth man thank you very much.

— SB Nation's Atlanta Hawks blog, Peachtree Hoops