How many Boston Celtics have been named 6th Man of the Year – and who were they?
When you scan the history of the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, it would be easy to miss the brief era of when the Boston Celtics dominated the annual honor bestowed upon the player deemed to be best player for their team coming off the bench as a substitute for a starter.
It was a short epoch spanning just three years that saw the Celtics win the honor for three consecutive years in a row, won by two Boston frontcourt players. If the award had been around before the 1982-83 NBA season, the Celtics might have had more winners given the team-oriented style of play and depth the carried throughout the 1960s.
But three awards in franchise history is still a very solid record — can you name the duo who won the honor for Boston, and the seasons in which they did it?
For a team as storied as the Boston Celtics are, there are surprisingly fewer than you might think. https://t.co/3TV6WOPYEi
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 9, 2021
1 - Kevin McHale (1983-84)
Boston Celtics Kevin McHale raises his arms in victory after the Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 131-104 in Game 7 of the NBA playoff series at the Boston Garden, May 13, 1984. (AP Photo/Mike Kullen)
McHale would win the award for the first time as he helped his team to a 62-win regular season and an NBA title.
2 - Kevin McHale (1984-85)
Kevin McHale of the Boston Celtics looks at right to shoot past Moses Malone of the Philadelphia 76ers during first quarter action on May 14, 1985 in the Boston Garden in NBA Playoff competition. (AP Photo/Charlie Krupa)
No title for McHale in the season of his second consecutive Sixth Man of the Year award, but he'd break the franchise single-game scoring record with a 56-point outing in a season that would end in a Finals loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
3 - Bill Walton (1985-86)
Bostons Bill Walton (5) heads off the court with his arms raised following the Celtics 111-98 victory over Milwaukee for the National Basketball Association Eastern Conference title, Sunday, May 18, 1986, Milwaukee, Wisc. In the background is the Bucks Paul Pressey. (AP Photo/Steve Pyle)
Boston would win its third consecutive Sixth Man of the Year award via new arrival and future Hall of Famer Bill Walton, who would also win a title with the Celtics that season to become the first player to win the Sixth Man award, a regular season MVP award and a Playoffs MVP. This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook! [lawrence-related id=50116,50080,50073,50066] [listicle id=50099]
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