By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After nearly four decades, the Boston Celtics finally resurface in the list of KIA NBA Sixth Man of the Year winners.
The recipient of the John Havlicek Trophy, Malcolm Brogdon was announced as the 2022-23 winner Thursday. After three-year stints at Milwaukee and Indiana, he moved to Boston this season and averaged 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks per contest over 67 appearances, all coming off the bench. Back in 2016-17, the former Virginia standout earned the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Brogdon, 30, received 60 first-place votes, 35 second-place votes and three third-place votes. His total points of 408 edged Immanuel Quickley of the New York Knicks tallying 326 points, including 34 first-place votes. Sliding in third, Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis Jr. had six first-place votes.
Celtics players won three in a row with Kevin McHale in 1983-84 and 1984-85, and Bill Walton in 1985-86, but the Sixth Man award since eluded the franchise.
Giannis, Jokic, Markkanen, Banchero
More annual awards in the form of the season MVP, Most Improved Player, and Rookie of the Year are coming up. Plenty of European connections with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid finalists for the Most Valuable Player distinction. Finnish Lauri Markkanen and Italian Paolo Banchero are in the running for the other remaining awards.
Sacramento Kings’ Mike Brown as the Coach of the Year, Kings’ De’Aaron Fox as the Clutch Player of the Year, and Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. as the Defensive Player of the Year were previously confirmed by the league.
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