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Montrezl Harrell wins NBA sixth man of the year

By Presley Meyer

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers reacts during the fourth quarter in a game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on February 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The Kings won 112-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers reacts during the fourth quarter in a game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on February 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The Kings won 112-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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Montrezl Harrell wins a major award.

Montrezl Harrell has won a major award- And this one shines even brighter than the sweet incandescent glow of a leg lamp in someone’s front window.

After being beat out by his teammate, Lou Williams, last season, Harrell has been named the 2020 NBA sixth man of the year.

Playing for the 44-20, second place Los Angeles Clippers, Harrell was one of the most dominant big men in the western conference. He averaged a career-high 18.6 points per game to go along with 7.1 rebounds, 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 58 percent from the field (seventh when the league shutdown).

Harrell came off of the Clippers bench in 63 games this season, starting just twice, and his energy level sparked one of the best regular seasons in Clippers franchise history.

Much has been made of Harrell’s post-regular season play of late.

He was forced to miss the regular season portion of the NBA bubble when his grandmother fell ill and passed away right at the NBA restart.

Then, a confrontation with Mavericks star Luka Dončić put him in a negative spotlight right when he returned.

But this is a regular season award, and given his play prior to the NBA pausing the season in March, he was clearly the best player in the league to come off the bench.

Harrell has become accustomed to playing the underdog role and playing with a chip on his shoulder. He was under-recruited, often overlooked at Louisville, and nearly was forced out of the league altogether.

A trade between the Clippers and the Houston Rockets landed Harrell on a solid playoff caliber team with a chance for a fresh start.

Head coach Doc Rivers saw a lot of potential in Harrell, and a permanent move to the five spot gave him the match-up advantages he needed to find NBA success.

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A perfect example of the modern NBA big man, Harrell plays much larger than his 6’8” frame.

Now, he has the hardware to back up his hard work. A silver lining after a tough month for one of the NBA’s toughest players.

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