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The Sacramento Kings have put together such a talented roster, that possibly their most electric player comes off the bench.
Star sixth-man Malik Monk averaged 15.4 points and 5.1 assists through 72 games last season, all coming in as a reserve. Leading all bench players in points and assists should be a lock to win NBA Sixth Man of the Year, so why is Monk not in the history books?
Monk suffered a season-ending injury with just nine games left in the regular season, so by the time award voting came around, recency bias got the best of him. Minnesota Timberwolves big man Naz Reid took home the 2023-24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, and Monk refuses to forget.
During a media day interview with Sactown Sports 1140's Stiles & Watkins, Monk was not afraid to voice his opinion when asked if he is looking to win the award this year:
So last year I should’ve won it, of course…and the stats they were showing was him [Naz Reid] starting. I thought it was coming off the bench, first off. Then they said we wasn’t winning, the year before that I led in everything too and we were the number three seed and I still didn’t win, so I ain’t worried about it man.Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
Malik Monk on 6th Man Award:
— Allen Stiles (@The_StilesFiles) October 1, 2024
“So last year I should’ve won it, of course…and the stats they were showing was him [Naz Reid] starting. I thought it was coming off the bench, first off. Then they said we wasn’t winning, year before that I led in everything too and we were the #3… pic.twitter.com/DbIUc6eaR0
Monk did not hesitate to claim he should have at least one Sixth Man of the Year trophy, if not two. Monk had 25 games last season where he scored 20+ points, including 39-point and 37-point outbursts.
As a player who reportedly could have gotten near $100 million in free agency and likely a starting job in another city, Monk is the embodiment of an NBA sixth man, choosing to stay in Sacramento for less money and help his team win.
While Monk is no longer worried about winning the award after last year's snub, Sacramento's human highlight reel is already the favorite to bring it home this season.
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The 'Most made three-pointers by NBA season' quiz
Happy 24th birthday to Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards! The first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has lived up to the billing so far in his young NBA career, taking the Timberwolves from a 23-win team in his rookie season to back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances. While Ant-Man hasn't been able to make to the NBA Finals yet, he has already earned himself a reputation as a giant slayer in the postseason, topping Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, and Steph Curry in his playoff career. Which brings us to today's quiz. Edwards came into the NBA as a freak athlete, but has since added a dangerous three-point shot to his game, leading the NBA with 320 made triples in 2024-25. With that being said, how many of the league leaders in three-pointers made for every season since then can you name in five minutes? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
Milwaukee Brewers: Nestor Cortes Gone, Standout Rookie 3B Has Emerged as Gem from Would-Be Lose-Lose Trade
Starting pitcher Nestor Cortes was the centerpiece of the Milwaukee Brewers‘ return haul from trading co-closer Devin Williams to the Yankees last December. Eight months later, Cortes is a member of the Padres, logging all of two starts in Milwaukee before injuries sapped his season. Over in New York, Williams lost his closer’s job, got it back, and has had one good month en route to a 5.04 ERA. Without the other part of Milwaukee’s incoming package, then minor-league third baseman Caleb Durbin, the trade would look at this juncture like a lose-lose scenario. Thanks to Durbin, it’s been anything but for the Brewers. Caleb Durbin is Milwaukee Brewers’ diamond in the rough Durbin didn’t make the spring training cut. Instead, the Brewers went with fellow rookie Oliver Dunn as the team’s starting third baseman. Durbin went down to Triple-A Nashville. Dunn didn’t last. After he struggled through the first three weeks of the season, he and Durbin switched places and the latter hasn’t squandered his shot. Following a slow start, he’s turned up the heat at the dish while playing outstanding defense. He’s had an OPS around .800 for over two months now and has his season slashline up to .263/.344/.372. His 2.2 WAR in 86 games played is tied for 10th among all third basemen, making him one of the position’s more valuable players. The Brewers saw plenty of promise in Durbin when they traded for him, coming off a strong season with New York’s Triple-A affiliate. Even though he didn’t, he was a decent candidate to make the team out of spring. The team likely didn’t see a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, which he is. By WAR, he and Braves catcher Drake Baldwin have contributed the same value to their teams, more than any other NL rookies. Cortes, on the other hand, was supposed to be a consistent cog in the rotation. Last year for the Yankees, he made 30 starts and recorded a 3.77 ERA. Instead, he’s still making his way back from injury ahead of start number three this season. In San Diego. Of course, Milwaukee did turn him into outfielder Brandon Lockridge, who will provide depth while Jackson Chourio is hurt. To dump Cortes’ salary, however, they had to attach a prospect, infielder Jorge Quintana. Neither Cortes nor Williams has been what the receiving team hoped. Both will be free agents this offseason. Only the Yankees, however, are at risk of walking away empty-handed. With years of team control remaining, the Brewers have in Durbin what looks to be their third baseman of both the present and future. The trade didn’t deliver according to expectations, but it’s hard to be too upset with the results.
Saints quarterback has 'convincing lead' in training camp battle
The New Orleans Saints' three-way quarterback competition is narrowing before the team's first preseason contest against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Per Ross Jackson of Louisiana Sports, second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler has looked the best at training camp this summer, going 83-of-114 passing (72.8 percent) for eight touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and four interceptions. Rattler is beating out rookie Tyler Shough. The second-round pick has completed just 62 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and three interceptions. 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener has completed 69.6 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and one Interception. Jackson believes first-year head coach Kellen Moore is priming Rattler as the favorite to start in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. "Over the team’s 10 practices, these three young passers have seen their chance to earn the starting role to begin the season in a rotation of first-team reps," Jackson wrote. "But there are decisions the Saints have made in the process that indicate a favorite. "After looking over individual performance stats, practice rep distribution and the team’s treatment of each quarterback throughout the important and highly-productive scrimmages on camp day 10, it’s become clear that Rattler is comfortably in the lead, for now." Jackson thinks Rattler can fend off his "convincing lead" for the starting job if he plays competently against the Chargers on Sunday. Rattler feels like the safe choice for Moore over Shough and Haener, at least to start the regular season. He appeared in seven games and started in six in 2024. Rattler played inconsistently as a rookie, throwing four touchdowns to five interceptions. However, he's had time to develop. Given his numbers in training camp, Rattler appears to be the most polished quarterback before the regular season. Shough could eventually develop into the Saints' best option, but the rookie's completion percentage against friendly competition at camp is low before he even faces live action in the preseason.
Green Bay Packers: MarShawn Lloyd’s Injury Opens Door For Experiment
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