Jamal Crawford: 6 Games – 52.5% FG, 88.6% FT, 21.8 PTS, 1.8 REB, 1 AST, 1.7 TO, 1 ST
After having a forgettable season with the Blazers – he shot just 38.4% from the field – Crawford decided to work on his jump shot over the past summer for the first time in his career, and boy is it paying off so far: the master of crossovers is averaging 21.8 points on a robust 52.5% shooting from the field. The guard may want to up his counting stats some – he is averaging just one assist per game – but if he continues to shoot at such a prolific rate in high volume, passing might not even be necessary. If Crawford wins the award, it would be for the second time in his career – he won the first one back in 2009-2010 season with the Atlanta Hawks.
Ray Allen: 6 Games – 59% FG, 92.3% FT, 14.2 PTS, 3.6 REB, 2.6 AST, 1.2 TO, 0.6 ST
“Jesus Shuttlesworth” went from being a Celtic to a Heat with one goal in mind: win another ring. Winning the sixth man award likely wasn’t a part of the equation, but he is in the race for it whether he anticipated it or not. We knew Allen would shoot lights out with so much attention on the Big Three, but 59% shooting through six games is simply absurd. He already has a game-winning four-point play under his belt against the Nuggets and is likely to provide more late-game heroics for a team that is heavily favored to come out of the East. That reason alone may be good enough to edge him over the other contestants for the sixth man award.
Kevin Martin: 5 Games – 52.2% FG, 93.8% FT, 18.4 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 2.2 TO, 1.2 ST
Many continue to discuss what the Thunder are missing due to the loss of former Sixth Man of the Year in James Harden, but Martin has been making it easier for the franchise, as he trails only Crawford in points per game off the bench. If he continues to produce at such an efficient rate – his true shooting percentage is at a whopping 76.6% – he will be in the running for the award. The sharp shooter is no Harden when it comes to creating offense for others, but his ability to score without the need to dominate the ball isn’t exactly dime a dozen either.
J.R. Smith: 3 Games – 43.9% FG, 100% FT, 16 PTS, 6.3 REB, 4.3 AST, 1.3 TO, 1.7 ST
Smith is known as an immense talent with limitless range, but his tendency to chuck unconsciously and make ill-advised decisions from time to time often left him in George Karl’s doghouse during his tenure with the Nuggets. Finally playing for a coach that embraces his style of play in Mike Woodson, Smith has become more than just an instant scorer, averaging 6.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists to go along with 16 points through his first three games of the season. If the Knicks are one of the top contending teams by the end of the season – the team is 3-0 and has played stifling defense – Smith will certainly be recognized for his contributions.
Carl Landry: 5 Games – 67.3% FG, 76% FT, 17 PTS, 7.4 REB, 0.8 AST, 2 TO, 0.4 BLK
After regressing over the past couple of seasons with the Kings and the Hornets, Landry has regained his touch around the basket to be an unstoppable force for the Warriors over the first five games, averaging 17 points on an astounding 67.3 percent shooting. He has arguably been the go-to player during crunch time for the team that currently sits at second place in the Pacific division, and will be difficult to ignore if he continues to produce at such an efficient clip.
Honorable mentions: Mike Dunleavy, J.J. Redick, Lou Williams, Marcus Thornton
Tweet of the Day: Wesley Matthews