Rodney Stuckey deserves 6th Man of the Year consideration

Rodney Stuckey spent a large chunk of the season filling various roles in the Pacers' playing rotation while the team dealt with several injuries (including missed games from Stuckey himself). Through the ups and downs, Stuckey started 36 games. But once George Hill returned healthy and the rotation adjusted, Stuckey has assumed the sixth-man role and blossomed as key reason the team is in the playoff mix now in the Eastern Conference.

Stuckey has officially been in the sixth-man role for the last 10 games and in that time, the Pacers are 20 points per 100 possessions better than their opponents (via nba.com/stats) when he's on the floor. He's been lighting getting buckets at an efficient rate, as well which John Schuhmann highlights with his look at shooting improvement since the All-Star break. (Hard to believe Steph Curry is on that list when you see his improvement STARTED from 57.4% as a perimeter shooter. Crazy!)

Most improved shooters since the All-Star break: pic.twitter.com/xqt2svBqIU

— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) March 11, 2015

For the season, the Pacers are 12-7 when Stuckey comes off the bench, but the recent 9-1 stretch with Stuck taking the microwave role to another level, has made a huge impact on the Pacers' push for the playoffs. With 19 games to go he will end up playing more games off the bench (38) than he's started (36) and if that impact remains consistent, Stuckey will certainly be deserving of 6th MOY consideration.

Jamal Crawford, Lou Williams and Isaiah Thomas (also making a late push with his play since being traded to Boston) will likely garner the most 6th MOY attention and since they have been more true reserve players for the bulk of the season, will likely get the votes. But at his current level of play, Stuckey should be the man.

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