Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Handing out awards at quarter-mark of 2017-18 season

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 27, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 27, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
BROOKLYN, NY – NOVEMBER 7: Kyle O’Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks blocks a shot against the Charlotte Hornets on November 7, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – NOVEMBER 7: Kyle O’Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks blocks a shot against the Charlotte Hornets on November 7, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Sixth Man of the Year: Kyle O’Quinn

The Sixth Man of the Year award may be the most difficult to distribute at this stage of the season. There are three candidates for the award, all of whom have strong cases: forwards Doug McDermott and Lance Thomas, and center Kyle O’Quinn.

Although McDermott and Thomas have been vital to team success, it’s O’Quinn who’s currently setting the pace for the team’s Sixth Man of the Year award.

Individually, O’Quinn is averaging 6.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 offensive boards, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 block in just 16.8 minutes per game. He’s shooting 54.6 percent from the field and 81.8 percent from the free throw line in what continues to be a career-year.

O’Quinn is currently on pace to set new career-best marks in points, rebounds, and assists per game, as well as field goal and free throw percentage.

Beyond the individual numbers, the New York Knicks have net ratings of +2.2 with O’Quinn on the court and -1.0 when he isn’t. He ranks in the top-20 amongst centers in Real Plus-Minus, and is averaging 13.6 points, 13.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.1 blocks per 36 minutes.

McDermott is making it difficult to overlook him in this discussion, but when O’Quinn is on the floor, the Knicks simply outplay the opposition.

Home/Knicks News