Celtics’ Malcolm Brogdon wins NBA’s Sixth Man of Year award

BOSTON (AP)— The Boston Celtics asked Malcolm Brogdon to learn a new role. Hemastered it quickly.

Brogdon washonored Thursday night as the NBA’s sixth man of the year, after aseason in which he came off the bench exclusively and helped theCeltics finish with the second-best record in the NBA.

It’s thesecond major individual award of Brogdon’s career: The 30-year-oldguard was rookie of the year in 2016-17.

“This issuch an honor. It has definitely been a transition for me, comingfrom Indiana to Boston,” said Brogdon, who had started every gamethe past four years in the NBA before embracing his role to comeoff the bench when he was acquired by the Celtics. “My last twoseasons, they weren’t super successful, so for me that was anothergut check for me in understanding that maybe I’m not a No. 1 guybut I can be a great No. 2, 3 or 4.”

Brogdonbeat out fellow finalists Immanuel Quickley of New York and BobbyPortis of Milwaukee, receiving 60 of 100 first-place votes and 408points overall from a media panel. Quickley was second at 326,getting 34 first-place votes. Portis had six first-place votes and97 points.

Brogdonaveraged 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists; among those whoplayed primarily off the bench this season, only the Los AngelesClippers’ Russell Westbrook finished with better averages in thosethree categories.

The Celticssent a significant package — five players and a first-round draftpick — to Indiana last summer for Brogdon, with this specificoff-the-bench role in mind even though he had started in each ofhis last 210 regular-season appearances. He played in 67 games forthe Celtics, all off the bench.

And he wasstill third on Boston in points per game, behind only All-NBAcandidates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. When Brogdon made atleast 50% of his shots from the field, the Celtics were 26-9 — and13-0 when he shot at least 63%.

“Coming toBoston and playing behind JT, behind JB, these guys are provenAll-Stars and soon to be All-NBA guys,” Brogdan said. “It’sdefinitely a good fit for me.”

Sixth manwas the fourth individual honor announced by the league so far thisseason, following the reveals ofMemphis’Jaren Jackson Jr.as defensive player of theyear,Sacramento’sDe’Aaron Foxas the inaugural winner of the clutch playeraward, andKingscoach Mike Brownas a unanimous pick for coach of theyear.

Stillunannounced by the league:

— MostValuable Player. Two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic of Denver is afinalist again, along with Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo andPhiladelphia’s Joel Embiid.

— MostImproved Player. New York’s Jalen Brunson, Oklahoma City’s ShaiGilgeous-Alexander and Utah’s Lauri Markkanen are thefinalists.

— Rookie ofthe year. Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, Utah’s Walker Kessler andOklahoma City’s Jalen Williams are the finalists.

— TheAll-NBA, All-Rookie and All-Defensive teams.