Raptors' Lou Williams named Sixth Man of the Year
Sweet Lou is making history.
Toronto Raptors guard Lou Williams has been named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year, which is awarded to the league's best reserve player. With this honor, Williams becomes the first ever Raptors player to earn the Sixth Man award.
Williams, in his 10th season as a pro and his first with Toronto, earned 78 first-place votes and 502 points, while Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas finished second with 324 points and 33 first-place votes, and Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Jamal Crawford earned third with 131 points and eight first-place votes.
The guard has been a stunner and made the difference for his team all season. Williams made all 80 of his game appearances fresh off the bench, averaging 25.2 minutes and 15.5 points per game this season and helping the Raptors to earn a franchise-record 49 games to make it to the postseason. The 28-year-old put his team on his back in the fourth quarter in the March 4 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers and posted 21 points to set a Raptors record. He also led Toronto in free-throw percentage, sinking 86.1 percent of his shots at the line.
Golden State Warriors' Andre Iguodala, who came in fourth place with 100 total points and seven first-place votes, was glad for his former teammate from his Philadelphia 76ers days. Iguodala said in a press conference before the Warriors' Game 2 against the New Orleans Pelicans that he had wanted Williams to win, noting that his own season had been terrible.
It is easy to see why Williams was bestowed the Sixth Man honor. He led or tied on his team in scoring 18 times which, according to the NBA's press release, is the second most in the league for a reserve.
Stay sweet.
For his efforts, Williams wins this new Kia, on display at a Toronto hotel.