When I was growing up my favorite player was Michael Cooper of the los angeles lakers. My question is who was greatest sixth man of all time and are there any hall of famers that were exclusively sixth men.
2006-11-14 07:56:34 · 11 answers · asked by hawkeye316 3 in Sports ➔ Basketball
In all honesty, it would be hard to put NBA players in the sixth man category as they usually graduate to the role of starters once they show consistency in their contributions on the court.
I believe that three scenarios best describe the evolution of a sixth man: a) players who were once starters and asked to come off the bench due to the teams wealth in talent (e.g, John Starks (1997), Antawn Jamison (2004)); b) players who used the role of a sixth-man to eventually become a starter (e.g., Ben Gordon (2006), Anthony Mason (1995), and Clifford Robinson (1993); and c) sixth-men who reprise their role year-after-year (Kevin McHale (1984 & 1985) & Indiana's Detlef Schrempf (1991 & 1992)).
Taking into consideration all of their achievements, I would give the title for greatest sixth man to Kevin McHale-not because he is only one of two players to with the award twice (and back-to-back)-but because he was able to win a championship in the process (1985).
Hope this was helpful.
2006-11-14 08:33:35 · answer #1 · answered by tedi31 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, the position was invented for Frank Ramsey, a Boston Celtic of the 1950's. Red Auerbach liked having a good player come off the bench a few minutes into the game to supply some energy. When Ramsey retired, John Havlicek was put into that role for several years.
What was great about Havlicek was that he could play both small forward and shooting guard, so he gave the Celtics a great many looks. At 6-5, he was big for the guards of the time, and quick for the forwards. Havlicek played a starter's minutes for years, but finally had to start when Russell retired in order to get him even more playing time.
For a season or two, Kevin McHale obviously merits some consideration. He backed up Bird and Maxwell for a while. Michael Cooper was terrific at it too, a matchup nightmare with his size and quickness. But Havlicek gets my vote on longevity.
2006-11-14 11:08:08 · answer #2 · answered by wdx2bb@verizon.net 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well in this day and age if they're good enough sixth men will become starters, that's why you don't hear about them that much. The better sixth men were in the old days, when players stuck with their original team more. As for a name, I'd say Michael Cooper would be one of the greats.
2006-11-14 08:00:37 · answer #3 · answered by Big Z 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You youngster would not remember John Havelick, or Bobby Jones, Bob McAdoo. Those are true sixth man off the bench.
Havelick created the sixth man position.
2006-11-14 08:18:43 · answer #4 · answered by Need to know 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to say the greatest is hard to argue, but i gotta give props to the microwave Vinnie Johnson. he'd fly off the bench and heat it up. i guess that's why they called him microwave. and how can you forget the shot heard around the world. 1990 nba finals game 5. the ball was passed to vinnie 18 feet out and with 0.07 seconds left on the clock he drained the jumper and won the pistons their second championship.
i've met him a few times at a couple of dead concerts, he's one hell of a nice guy too.
2006-11-14 12:27:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to agree with 2 of the guys above me, in one of them being John Havliceck, and the other being Kevin McHale.
McHale was recognized as the 6th man of the year twice, and Havliceck was just amazing off the bench, and both were what really gave the Celtics their depth, in their respective times.
2006-11-14 08:38:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kevin McHale won it twice in a row, 83-84, 84-85 and Bill Walton won it 85-86
2006-11-14 08:03:36 · answer #7 · answered by R Dizzle 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
John Havlicek grew to become right into a 6th guy at one element in his profession. Kukoc grew to become into distinctly good for the Bulls in the ninety's. Robert Horry after leaving the Rockets began transforming into to be a general 6th guy for the Lakers and Spurs. it particularly is totally perplexing to locate in simple terms one participant who grew to become into the terrific, Horry isn't even on the brink of Havlicek's ability ability yet has come with the aid of in maximum of championship circumstances and gained. in simple terms appreciate the subsequent participant after Ginobili and notice what he brings.
2016-10-22 02:19:55 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Coooooop is definetly a top 6th man.
And so is Vinny Johnson from the Pistons bad boys days.
2006-11-14 08:04:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not the best, but I always liked Del Curry. He could make it rain.
2006-11-14 10:21:26 · answer #10 · answered by zillenium_00 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋