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Memphis Grizzlies NBA Awards Candidates

By AJ Salah

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Taylor Jenkins and Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies look on against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half at Wells Fargo Center on February 7, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Taylor Jenkins and Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies look on against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half at Wells Fargo Center on February 7, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies
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Sixth Man of the Year

From a category that Memphis is going to crush, to one with limited fringe appeal.

The Grizzlies have virtually zero chance of winning the Sixth Man award, but field two candidates who could potentially register on ballots.

One is the aforementioned Clarke, whose versatility and two-way play off the bench made him an instant impact player. He ranked 10th among qualifying bench players in rebounds per game and 13th in scoring. On the advanced side, he was fifth in PER, second in eFG% (both among reserves), and led all Grizzlies in WS/48.

Clarke’s per-36 numbers are basically 20/10 with 1.5 blocks. Given his supreme efficiency and no glaring flaws, he can hopefully crack the 22mpg mark next year.

The other, perhaps more dark-horsey candidate is De’Anthony Melton, who broke out around December and became one of the league’s low-key bench studs.

Melton’s box score numbers are unspectacular, but his advanced and on-off numbers are truly elite, and convey one of the NBA’s most important bench players. Like Clarke, he saw frustratingly few minutes, with Memphis’ backcourt already committed to development elsewhere.

As basketball becomes more and more of a nerd’s game, Melton’s role in Memphis’ season was given a fair bit of notice. It’s not improbable that he, Clarke, or both snare some lower-rung votes.

CONFIDENCE INDEX
Get votes: 75%
Have finalist: 10%
Win award: 0%

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