5. Who's the Sixth Man of the Year if the season ended today?
Feldman: James Harden. Although he plays starter's minutes, Harden comes off the bench for the Thunder, making him a shoo-in for the award despite not really embodying its spirit. His offensive playmaking has really helped Oklahoma City, but his defense has been just as important.
Haberstroh: This one's easy: James Harden.
The beardiest player in the league just keeps getting better. Scary thought: he's already the NBA's most efficient wing player and he hasn't even turned 23 yet. In fact, his true shooting percentage (which incorporates free throws and 3-pointers) of 65.5 is the best we've ever seen among active wing players.
Herbert: James Harden. Too easy. Harden always resembled Manu Ginobili in style; this season the two have had extremely similar production. Harden's ridiculous efficiency and ability to run the offense make Oklahoma City a terrifying matchup. It's unfair that he's eligible for this. Should've been the Thunder's third All-Star.
Jackson: James Harden. At times this season, Harden has been the Thunder's No. 1 option and No. 1 playmaker. That notion is just absurd given the team has Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on its roster. Harden was getting consideration last year, and his numbers are up across the board this season including a career high in 3-point percentage (38.9).
Young: It's a really close race between James Harden and James Harden's beard. Both have good cases. Harden's play off the OKC bench has been revelatory, giving the Thunder an incredibly efficient scoring punch as well as an absolutely perfect complement to Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Harden's beard has mutated to become self-aware and has a PER of 26.5 on its own. It's going to go down to the wire.
