Zurab Talakvadze

Sandro is entering NBA Sixth Man of the Year contention

Sandro Mamukelashvili has a season of his life. The versatile forward from Toronto Raptors is averaging 10.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and almost 2 dimes per game. And those pesky Raptors are winning. And, nobody was really expecting that from them. Toronro is this good having so many questionable snipers. Those Raptors are the kings of a midrange jumpers and they are deep. And having some really good defenders on a team, this bunch of a risky players wins by attack. The offense is elite and two players are having a legit All-Star cases. Enter Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. And Sandro is having a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year case for now.

As for now, Sandro has a tough rock to climb.

Jaime Jaques Jr (Heat, 16.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists), Jerami Grant (Trail Blazers, 19.5 points, 3.5 rebs, 2.5 asts), Ajay Mitchell (Thunder, 16.1 pts, 3.7 rebs, 3.8 asts, 1.8 steals), Reed Sheppard (Rockets, 13.1 pts, 2.3 rebs, 3.2 asts) and Onyeka Okongwu (Hawks, 16.2 pts, 7.4 rebs, 2.7 asts, 1.8 steals) are having seasons to remember as well. There is still a long road to cover, but this rankings and candidates will change and swap places.

The reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Payton Pritchard from Boston was a favorite to repeat, but no longer so. We still have Minnesota center Naz Reid, who was the betting favorite before the season clicked on.

This race will remain wide open and it is team success that will factor in as well. The last five Sixth Man of the Year winners played on a team with 52 or more wins to its belt.

Sandro has his chances. And this time, his chances rely on his team’s play. Sandro will help Raptors solidify the Top 4 place in the crowded East and by doing so, he will increase his chances as well.

The race is on. Sandro is just warming up.