NBA Awards 2019: 3 reasons why Domantas Sabonis should win the Sixth Man of the Year award

Defensive Impact

Indiana Pacers v Detroit Pistons

In judging who is the better player or who should win awards, most people always take the offensive statistical categories of proof of one player’s greatness over another. Basketball is a transitional game and defensive play is just as important as offense. In this regard, Sabonis is again the better 6th man.

Harrell, for example, averaged 6.5rpg but 2 of that number came at the offensive end. Sabonis, who averaged 9.3rpg grabbed 2.5 of them on the offensive glass, still averaged more defensive rebounds per game than Harrell. Both Sabonis and Harrell play the same position (Harrell plays some power forward too).

Lou Williams is always admired for his offense but he is a liability defensively. Harrell and Sabonis are both big men but averaged .9 and .6spg (steals) in 2018-19. Lou Williams only managed an average of .8spg on 57 total steals. Harrell had more steals than Williams at 71 in 82 games and Williams had just 9 steals (57) more than Sabonis (48).

Based on advanced stats, Sabonis produced a steal 1.3% of the time he was on the floor exactly the same as Williams who is a guard.

Sabonis’ defense provides the Pacers with victory 3.3% of the time while Harrell is at 2.6% and Williams is at 1.2%. Defensively, Sabonis is the strongest player of the three nominated for the 6th man of the year award.