The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Predicting the NBA Awards Show winners

By Jared Woodcox

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Donovan Mitchell looks on at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Donovan Mitchell looks on at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets speaks to the media after Game Five of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 24, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets speaks to the media after Game Five of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 24, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Sixth Man of the Year – Eric Gordon

This one is extremely closely contested and all three of the candidates – Lou Williams, Fred VanVleet and Eric Gordon – have arguments for being deserving. I’m hesitant to pick Gordon since he won last year and could suffer from voter fatigue, but Williams has also won this award in the past.

Williams may very well have been the best sixth man. He’s really carved a niche out of serving in that role. However, I think Eric Gordon is going to ultimately come away with the prize. He upped his scoring to 18 points per contest while increasing his efficiency from the field and remaining a prolific 3-point threat.

Not only that, but he served as a dangerous sixth man weapon on a team that ultimately held the best record in the entire NBA. Williams’ numbers may appear better, but the fact that the LA Clippers missed the playoffs entirely could very well hurt his chances. Fred VanVleet was key to the Toronto Raptors’ run to the top of the Eastern Conference, but I’m not confident that he did quite enough to earn this nod.

I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if Williams won the award and truly waffled between predicting him or Gordon. However, considering that Eric Gordon improved off of last season’s Sixth Man of the Year performance and helped his team reach even greater heights, I’m pinning him as this year’s winner for a second straight year.

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