The role of the sixth man in basketball is one of the most underappreciated yet vital positions on any NBA roster. These players don’t start games, but they often finish them, providing instant offense, defensive intensity, and leadership off the bench. The best sixth men change the momentum, offering their teams a spark when they need it most.
Here’s a look at the 15 best sixth men in NBA history, ranked based on their impact, accolades, and contributions to winning.
15. Detlef Schrempf
A two-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1991, 1992), Schrempf was a versatile forward who could shoot, rebound, and facilitate. He thrived in the role with the Indiana Pacers before becoming a key piece for the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1990s.
14. J.R. Smith
An electrifying scorer, J.R. Smith won the 2013 Sixth Man of the Year award with the New York Knicks. His streaky shooting could win games single-handedly, and he played a critical role in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2016 championship run.
13. Ricky Pierce
A two-time Sixth Man of the Year (1987, 1990), Pierce was an elite scorer off the bench, particularly for the Milwaukee Bucks. He had one of the most efficient scoring stretches for a bench player in NBA history.
12. Jason Terry
Known as “The Jet,” Terry was a deadly shooter and key contributor for the 2011 NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. He won the 2009 Sixth Man of the Year award and was one of the most reliable bench scorers of his era.
11. Michael Cooper
A defensive specialist for the Showtime Lakers, Cooper was named the 1987 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He came off the bench to lock down the league’s best perimeter scorers while also knocking down key three-pointers.
10. Leandro Barbosa
The “Brazilian Blur” was one of the fastest players the NBA had ever seen. He won Sixth Man of the Year in 2007 while playing for the Phoenix Suns and later became an important bench player for the 2015 champion Golden State Warriors.
9. Jamal Crawford
One of the most entertaining players to watch, Crawford was a three-time Sixth Man of the Year (2010, 2014, 2016). His elite ball-handling and clutch shot-making made him one of the best scorers off the bench in NBA history.
8. Manu Ginóbili
A two-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, Ginóbili sacrificed personal stats to come off the bench, making him one of the most selfless superstars ever. His impact on winning was undeniable, and he played a key role in the Spurs’ dynasty.
7. Kevin McHale
Before becoming a Hall of Fame starter, McHale dominated as a sixth man, winning the award in back-to-back seasons (1984, 1985) for the Boston Celtics. His elite post moves and defense helped the Celtics win multiple championships.
6. Lamar Odom
A key piece for the Lakers’ back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010, Odom won the 2011 Sixth Man of the Year award. His versatility allowed him to play multiple positions, and he was one of the best playmaking forwards in the league.
5. Eddie Johnson
One of the most consistent scorers off the bench, Johnson scored over 19,000 points in his career. He won the 1989 Sixth Man of the Year award and was known for his smooth jumper and instant offense.
4. Andre Iguodala
A former All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, Iguodala reinvented himself as a sixth man with the Golden State Warriors. He was named the 2015 NBA Finals MVP for his defensive performance against LeBron James and helped the Warriors win four championships.
3. Kevin Love
Love embraced a sixth-man role late in his career and played a key role in the Miami Heat’s 2023 Finals run. He was a crucial bench piece for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2016 title team, making clutch plays and spreading the floor with his shooting.
2. Lou Williams
A three-time Sixth Man of the Year (2015, 2018, 2019), Williams was a walking bucket. He thrived in various roles with multiple teams, most notably the Clippers, where he became one of the highest-scoring sixth men in history.
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1. John Havlicek
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Havlicek revolutionized the sixth-man role with the Celtics in the 1960s. A 13-time All-Star and eight-time NBA champion, he started his career coming off the bench before evolving into a superstar. His impact on winning and ability to play both ends of the floor make him the greatest sixth man of all time.
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