Well, the sixth men are often hailed as the game-changers who can easily dictate the outcome of the close matches, bridging the gap between starters and the bench. The glorious history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) has been witness to numerous legendary Sixth Men, including Lou Williams, Jamal Crawford and many others who have proved to be the ultimate match-winners for their teams in the most crucial and fate-changing matches.
Owing to the growing prominence and popularity of the Sixth Men, the National Basketball Association (NBA) also recognises their spine-chilling courage on the court by awarding them with the prestigious and coveted NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. Have you ever wondered about the top four most influential sixth men in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA)? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four most successful sixth men in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Top 4 NBA Sixth Men of All Time
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Lou Williams
The 39-year-old American former professional basketball player, Lou Williams, is at the first spot in our list of the top four most successful sixth men in the history of the NBA. Often hailed as one of the most iconic sixth men in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) by millions of hardcore basketball aficionados from every nook and corner of the world, Lou Williams was drafted directly out of high school by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 45th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft.
Throughout his glorious NBA career which spanned from 2005 till 2022, Lou Williams played for numerous prominent NBA teams and was honoured with the prestigious NBA Sixth Man of the Year award thrice in the years 2015, 2018 and 2019, speaking volumes about his dominance in the league as a sixth man.
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Jamal Crawford
At the second spot in our list of the top four most successful sixth men in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA), we have the American former professional basketball player Jamal Crawford, who is often also popularly referred to as “J-Crossover” by millions of basketball aficionados from every nook and corner of the world.
Often regarded as one of the most lethal sixth men in the history of the National Basketball Association, Jamal Crawford played for numerous prominent NBA teams including the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks and many others throughout his glorious NBA career which spanned from 2000 to 2020. Additionally, Jamal Crawford was honoured with the coveted NBA Sixth Man of the Year award thrice in the years 2010, 2014 and 2016.
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Kevin McHale
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four most successful sixth men in the history of the NBA, we have another American former professional basketball player, Kevin McHale, who is often popularly referred to as one of the greatest players in the history of the National Basketball Association. Kevin McHale clinched the coveted NBA title thrice in his career, in the years 1981, 1984 and 1986.
Additionally, Kevin McHale also dominated the opposing teams as one of the most dynamic sixth men in the history of the league and was honoured with the prestigious NBA Sixth Man of the Year award twice in the years 1984 and 1985. Throughout his star-studded NBA career which spanned from 1980 till 1993, Kevin McHale played for Boston Celtics and is still popularly hailed as one of the greatest sixth men to ever play for the Boston Celtics.
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Manu Ginóbili
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four most successful sixth men in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA), we have the Argentine legendary former professional basketball stalwart Manu Ginóbili, who is often also popularly referred to as one of the most crucial players of the classic “Big Three” trio alongside Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Throughout his glorious NBA career which spanned from 1995 to 2018, Manu Ginóbili established himself as one of the most dynamic players in the history of the San Antonio Spurs and was honoured with the prestigious NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2008.
Additionally, Manu Ginóbili also clinched four editions of the NBA championship in the years 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. Manu Ginóbili announced his official retirement from the National Basketball Association on 27 August 2018 and was appointed as the special advisor for San Antonio Spurs in September 2021.
