4 awards that the Boston Celtics could take home this season

A Boston Celtics Sixth Man of the Year?

Malcolm Brogdon has been a fantastic addition to an already contending Boston Celtics team. The 30-year-old has transitioned back into a bench role for the first time since his second NBA season in 2017-18. So far, he’s been thriving and has been able to give the Cs a great scoring punch when he checks into the game. All of this makes him a prime contender for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.

In 21 appearances for Boston, Brogdon has averaged 14 points, about four assists and four rebounds off the bench. The former NBA Rookie of the Year ranks ninth in scoring for bench players who have played at least 14 games. Of those nine players, only two play on teams that are over .500 (Gary Trent Jr., Tor., and Christian Wood, Dal.). With that being said, Brogdon is certainly having the greatest impact on winning amongst players coming off the bench.

It’s also pretty impressive that a guy that has not only been an consistent starter over the last four seasons has not only transitioned back to playing off the bench, but has thrived. Brogdon’s field goal percentage of 50% is the highest it’s been since he first became a starter in Milwaukee four seasons ago. His efficiency from beyond the arc has shattered his previous career-high of 42.6% by about seven percent.

If Brogdon were to take home the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, he’d be the first Boston Celtics player to do so since Bill Walton in 1986. Walton’s Celtics teammate Kevin McHale had won the award in the previous two seasons in 1984 and 85.