Through the still-budding 2022-23 NBA season, Hunter has become a focal figure. He doubled his other counterpart, Pritchard, in scoring while doing so and still shot the ball extremely similarly both overall and from three-point land. Hunter’s noteworthy performance, combined with his defensive excellence and versatility, has put him firmly in the conversation for multiple season awards. Combined with his gaudy stats and ability to lift teams bound for the postseason, he has built an ironclad case for hardware. Most impressively, he has 22-to-1 long-shot odds for winning the highly sought after Sixth Man of the Year award.
Hunter's Dominance on the Court
Hunter has terrifyingly good performance metrics that put him head and shoulders above his competition. At 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, he has a huge physical advantage over Pritchard. At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, Pritchard is obviously at a size disadvantage. This physical difference allows Hunter to excel in defensive versatility, capable of guarding positions from point guard to power forward. His unique ability to impact the game defensively in so many different positions is the ultimate trump card for his team's advantages offensively.
In addition to his defensive wizardry, Hunter has been an offensive juggernaut. He’s averaging 17.3 points per game on 47.2% shooting from the field and 41.4% from deep. His remarkable performance outshines Pritchard on a regular basis. Hunter’s True Shooting Percentage Added (TS Add) astonishingly increases his scoring by an additional 1.54 points per game. This incredible achievement still undersells his historical scoring efficiency. These statistics do highlight his incredible scoring prowess. They validate his status as one of the most important players in any clutch moment.
Contributions to Postseason-Bound Teams
Hunter’s impact goes much deeper than just his own numbers. He’s been the engine for two of the most surprising teams bound for the postseason. He started the year with the Atlanta Hawks, but he emerged as an essential midseason pickup for the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. His versatility as a player and a coach have been essential to the success of both squads. One of the hallmarks of his greatness is his willingness to adapt and flourish in various team structures.
His phenomenal ability to play superbly to stars like the Boston Celtics makes his competitive spirit undeniable. In fact, Hunter has proven almost impossible to stop against the Celtics during his career, in both the regular season and postseason. Given the fact that there is an entire offensive roster built around the idea that Tatum can change game results in clutch-time situations, it’s a big deal.
Additionally, Hunter is well on his way to playing in the required 65 games to be eligible for most season long awards. The Sixth Man of the Year award does not have a minimum game requirement. Yet, despite his on-court absence Hunter remains top candidate for countless other honors.
A Strong Contender for Sixth Man of the Year
Hunter’s profile seems to fit like a glove to the archetype of a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. He’s more dynamic than either Pritchard or Beasley. His extra points per game due to scoring efficiency is considered elite by basketball-reference analytics, so you know he can get buckets in high volume. On top of that, his defensive versatility and scoring abilities make him an irreplaceable force as a bench player.
The bad Hunter does indeed have some dishonest, indecent, and even diabolical strengths. Even at 22-to-1 odds, he remains a long-shot sixth man of the year candidate. Given his current trajectory and impact on postseason-bound teams, he is arguably the only viable choice in this market. His outperformance against other big names and competitors such as Pritchard only adds to the story and strengthens his case.
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