Sheridan Hoops Sixth Man Rankings: Week 18

Finally, a chance for some our candidates for the Sixth Man Award to get time in the national spotlight.

With TNT airing two extra games Tuesday, the week was filled with national TV showcases. While some candidates were able to step up, others didn’t look quite as prepared.

While it’s likely that the televising network didn’t have much to do with their success, or lack thereof, the difference in production for a couple players seemed to change when the likes of Mike Breen or Marv Albert entered the arena.

That seems to be what happened.

A few players have been able to make nationally televised games their chance to shine.  Clippers guard Jamal Crawford, who has held the No. 1 spot on our list all season, is a prime example. Crawford isn’t new to the national TV circuit, but he showed his stuff Sunday on ABC against the Thunder.

Then you have Knicks guard J.R. Smith, who hasn’t been on our rankings for a while mainly due to inefficient shooting.

Smith had a putrid shooting performance Sunday vs. the Heat, then exploded for 36 points in the absence of Carmelo Anthony on Thursday vs. the Thunder. The up-and-down pattern is a microcosm for Smith’s season as a whole.

Throughout the week, he put up at least 17 shots in all four games he played. That is especially amazing, considering he plays on a team with both Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire.

Despite his season high vs. Oklahoma City, it is tough to put Smith back in the rankings. His inconsistency over the past two months has been too prevalent to vault him back into the top 5.

Warriors guard Jarrett Jack, a new arrival to the list, was showcased on NBA TV on Saturday night. He had a rough time in a loss to the 76ers, shooting just 3-of-13 from the field. However, Jack has had a great second half to the season.

Martin had been a model of consistency for the Thunder for a majority of the season but lately seems to have run into a wall. He has shot just 38 percent from the field since mid-February, including a 3-of-12 outing Sunday vs. the Clippers in which coach Scott Brooks went with Thabo Sefolosha in crunch time.

Martin bounced back Thursday in New York, scoring 16 points on just six shots. His ability to knock down 3-pointers and get to the line was a factor in the Thunder’s road win. His best play may have been one where passed up an open shot to kill more clock and helping assure the  victory.

There are plenty more national showcases this weekend, with Boston’s Jeff Green and Jack on ESPN on Friday, Smith and Utah’s Gordon Hayward on NBA TV on Saturday and Green and Martin on ABC and Miami’s Ray Allen on NBA TV on Sunday.

On to the rankings.