Written by: Fernando Rea
Several months Lakers’ fans got a chance to see Shannon Brown display his gravity defying, and rim rocking talents in the 2010 NBA Slam Dunk contest. Shannon got a lot of help from his fans with being selected to the “dunkathon” with a fan campaign in the form of a website – appropriately titled letshannondunk.com, which went viral.
Prior to being selected Shannon made a proclamation to the fans by stating “I promise you. If I’m able to get in the dunk contest, it’s going to be something special.” What the fans actually got was a performance that was underwhelming and lacking in creativity. In interviews after and since that less than spectacular dunk contest performance Shannon expressed his ambition to be known for more than just a dunker and highlight reel. Shannon’s words would lead you to believe that his lackluster performance in the Dunk Contest was partly due to his heart just not being in it and that he had greater aspirations than continuing to be typecast as a high flying act. Shannon went on to be a solid contributor off of the bench for the Lakers on their way to a second straight NBA championship. It wasn’t till this season that we are starting to see what Shannon had in mind, in terms of him evolving as more of a prolific dunker.
We are only 11 games in, but Shannon has shown a much-improved stroke from the outside and a more confident demeanor on the court. Shannon is shooting an efficient 50% from the field and an impressive 48% from 3s. You only have to point to that scorching hot fourth quarter performance against Milwaukee this past Tuesday night, where Brown was a perfect 6 for 6 from the field, with 4 of those coming from 3-point land. With such great improvement in his play off of the bench Shannon is getting much deserved chatter about prominent year-end NBA awards, such as 6th Man of the Year and Most Improved Player. Some fans think that Shannon could even snatch both awards this season, which would be only the second time it has happened since Darrell Armstrong did it in 1999 for the Orlando Magic. It’s probably a little too early to talk about any awards 11 games into a season, but being that it is getting attention in Lakerville, we should look at where Shannon stacks up against the rest of the league and history.
Next: Shannon’s Competition for 6th Man
Wilson Chandler, Knicks
Why Wilson is not starting is beyond me, but Knicks’ Head Coach Mike D’Antoni and his staff see a benefit to sitting him at the start, over the likes of Danilo Gallinari and Timofey Mozgov. Right now, with the numbers Chandler is putting up, he will garner all of the attention from the voters in the 6th man race. Voters love big numbers and Chandler is posting them with regularity while still coming off of the bench. However, at some point, the Knicks have to consider placing Chandler in the starting line up when he is consistently out performing those that start in front of him; especially if the Knicks continue to lose.
Serge Ibaka, Thunder
In terms of scoring, Ibaka doesn’t fit the mold of recent 6th man award-winners, however, he fits the bill in the energy department. Ibaka is the Thunder’s enforcer in the middle and energizer off the bench. He might be young, but he knows his limitations offensively, which is displayed in his 59% shooting from the field. Like Chandler, Ibaka is another guy whose reasons for coming off of the bench I don’t understand. Especially if he is getting starter’s minutes, and playing like one.
Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon, Pistons
Whipping the ball through the twine is Ben and Charlie’s specialty; some would say that they really don’t provide much else. Respectively, they rank second and third on the team in scoring. It might seem as if one would cancel out the other in this situation; nevertheless, they are both legitimate contenders for the award, and would probably be a shoe in if they had an award for best bench duo in the league.
Other notable mentions: Hakim Warrick, Suns; Louis Williams, 76ers; Thaddeus Young, 76ers; Daniel Gibson, Cavs; James Jones, Heat.
6th Man Award History
As I stated earlier, voters for this award love big numbers; specifically scoring. The last four winners have averaged at least 18 PPG and over the last 20 years, only two players have averaged less than 12 PPG. The last time someone averaged less than Shannon’s current average was the Knicks’ Anthony Mason in 1995, when he only averaged 9.9 PPG, but he also added 8.4 RPG and shot 56% from the field. Additionally, no player has ever won the award playing less than 20 minutes per game, which in this case, is cause for concern, since Shannon is currently averaging 18.7 minutes per game. History doesn’t provide a positive outlook for Shannon in terms of winning the 6th Man Award. As it stands now, Shannon is averaging 10.7 PPG and with the Lakers incredible depth, it might be hard for Shannon to get the additional minutes necessary to boost his numbers into award-winning territory. The good thing about focusing on the end of the year awards early, is that Shannon has the whole year to improve on his numbers.
Case for Shannon:
In the sprit of the 6th man Award, I believe that it should go to a player that comes off the bench in limited minutes to support the starters and bring added elements that are capable of sustaining the team’s play while the starters sit. That is exactly what Shannon brings to the table. What you usually see with winners of the award, however, are de facto starters that come off the bench, but get starters minutes. Of all the aforementioned competitors, Shannon is getting the least minutes and plays a true back up role to the starter Kobe Bryant. In the short period of time that Shannon does see court time, he is very efficient and productive, which is more in line with someone that would be considered a true 6th man. Another point to be taken in Shannon’s case is that his contributions off the bench come on a team that is playing for much loftier goals and in more meaningful games than most of his competitors.
Next: Shannon Competition for Most Improved
Michael Beasley, Timberwolves
He went from an apparent draft lottery bust in Miami, to being the offensive answer in Minnesota, averaging 22.2 PPG and shooting at almost a 50% clip – that’s a 34% increase in scoring production from last years 14.8 PPG, while only playing an additional two minutes per contest. He is also knocking down 52% of his 3-point attempts, and has shown great accuracy with his mid range jumper. One of those mid range jumpers was a game winner over the Clippers the other day. Early on, Beasley has to be one of Shannon’s main competitors for the award.
Paul Millsap, Jazz
Millsap is helping people in Utah forgot about Carlos Boozer. Millsap has increased his scoring average by just less than 10 points per game, improving his 11.6 PPG average from last year, to 21.5 PPG this year. Over the last 20 years, there have only been three players that have won the Most Improved Award after increasing their scoring average by 10 or more points. At lot of that has to do with Millsap getting a lot of the minutes Boozer left behind. The Jazz added Al Jefferson in the off season with the idea that he would replace Boozer’s production, however, it has been Millsap that has filled the void left by Boozer’s depature. Along with Jefferson, they form a dangerous one-two punch in the post. Millsap is right there with Beasley as a favorite for this award.
Rudy Gay, Grizzlies
Rudy Gay had already arrived last year and if not for an average team record he would have gotten more All Star consideration. This year he has taken his production to a completely other level by increasing his already high scoring average of 19.6 the year before to 23.4 this year. He is also shooting the ball at a more efficient level from the field (50% FG%, 41% 3pt%). You can compare Rudy Gay’s current rise to that of another Most Improved Award winner Danny Granger when he won it in 2009 after increasing his scoring average to 25.8 from 19.6 the year before.
Others: Roy Hibbert, Pacers; Dorell Wright, Warriors; Al Thorton, Wizards; Jrue Holiday, 76ers
Most Improved Award History
History will show that a players scoring average and increase in production are the factors that catches the voters eye when choosing the winner for this award. In the last 20 years, there has only been one player to win the Most Improved with a scoring average of less than 13 PPG; that player being Isaac Austin, who averaged 9.7 PPG for the Miami Heat in 1997. The lowest scoring increase from the previous year for any player winning the award in the last 20 years was Gheorghe Muresan, who only increased his scoring averaged by 4.5 PPG. History does not seem to be in Shannon’s favor, as he is currently experiencing a marginal rise in scoring, and the lack of opportunity due to the Lakers’ immense death will make it difficult for him to capture this award.
Case for Shannon
Voters can look at Shannon’s improvement in the efficiency department, as he has increased his shooting percentages across the board. His field goal percentage has gone up from 42% last year to 50% this year; his 3-point percentage has risen from 33% to 49%, and he is knocking down his free throws 93% of the time compared to just 82% last season. However, you will have to ask voters to look a little deeper than just numbers in order to get Shannon some legitimate consideration for the Most Improved Player Award.
While his scoring numbers don’t increase considerably from the previous season (10.7 PPG this year vs. 8.1 PPG last year) the play displayed on the court does. Compared to last year, when Shannon’s shot was often erratic, he has seen a vast improvement in his shooting abilities. You won’t find prettier rotation on the ball and better mechanics on the team other than maybe Kobe Bryant.
You might want to look at not just last year, but his whole career when considering possible winners for this award, as he spent much of his career on the bench of bad teams while his status as an NBA player was always in doubt. Most of Shannon’s competitors are high draft picks with greater expectations, so, in my opinion they shouldn’t get as much consideration for the award, just because they have been able to reach the level of play that many had already expected of them. Shannon is a player that has worked hard on improving his game every year, while persevering obstacles and doubt. It has truly paid off, as he is now a major contributor on a championship contending team.
Next: Outlook
Shannon will have one major advantage over his competitors, and that comes from playing for arguably the most watched and followed teams in the NBA. In direct contrast, his major competitors for both awards like Beasley in Minnesota and Wilson Chandler in New York will get very little national play. Of course the big gold trophy at the end of the year is the ultimate goal for the Lakers, and not individual awards; however, there is significant Lakers’ history that could be made if Brown can take home one of these accolades. Brown would be the first Laker to ever win either the Most Improved Player or 6th Man of the Year award. Shannon faces fierce competition for both awards but if Shannon’s upward rise in play from “Dunk Day” to now continues, I can realistically see it happening, and the Lakers as a team would benefit greatly.