Sixth Man Rankings: Markieff Morris’ Value to Suns is Unmatched by Other Candidates

RANK	Player	RUNDOWN	RECENT
1		MARKIEFF MORRIS, F, PHOENIX: Still ranks among the top five for bench scoring (13.6 points) and rebounding (5.9) per game among all reserves. Put up a monster 16 point and 14 board game last Sunday in a big win in Toronto.	1
2		TAJ GIBSON, F, CHICAGO: Bounced back after a lackluster week by averaging 18 points and 9.3 rebounds in a three game stretch. His Bulls sit in fourth in the Eastern Conference. If Morris’ Suns fail to make the playoffs, the award could very well end up in Gibson’s hands.	4
3		MANU GINOBILI, G, SAN ANTONIO: San Antonio is 14-1 over their last 15 games. Ginobili managed to fall one spot in the rankings despite pouring in 21 points against Utah in only 25 minutes.	2
4		REGGIE JACKSON, G, OKLAHOMA CITY: Jackson went for 13 points and six assists in a spot start replacing Russell Westbrook on Thursday night. He hasn’t been at top form since Westbrook returned. He’s averaged three less points and one less assist per game since the All-Star break.	3
5		JAMAL CRAWFORD, G, LA CLIPPERS: He’s not winning the award but as he continues to sit out with a calf injury, it looks more and more likely that he’ll finish with more games as a sixth man than as a starter. He had a prolific February, averaging 23.6 points and 3.6 assists. That should be more than enough to earn him some votes.	–

DROPOUTS: Alec Burks, G, Utah (5).

FIVE TO WATCH: Mike Scott, F, Atlanta; Vince Carter, G-F, Dallas; J.R. Smith, G, New York; Jeremy Lin, G, Houston; Nick Young, G, LA Lakers.

OTHER RANKINGS: Rookie | Most Improved | MVP | Power

Jacob Eisenberg is a student at Emory University, spending the spring semester abroad in Brazil, and covers the NBA for SheridanHoops.com. Check out his website and click here to follow him on Twitter.