div align = "center" MASON REDD HARRINGTON KIRILENKO WILLIAMSON PPG - SEASON 14.2 15.3 12.6 12.3 12.0 RPG 6.6 4.4 5.9 5.3 4.6 APG 1.7 1.5 1.4 2.1 1.2 MPG 34.5 29.1 29.0 27.4 25.0 FG % .440 .486 .459 .524 .448 PPG - WEEK 18.5 20.4 14.0 11.8 14.0 RPG 6.0 5.0 6.0 2.5 7.0 APG 3.8 1.3 2.0 0.5 0.3

Al Harrington’s inside-out versatility propelled him onto the list. Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE

THE SKINNY
A change in the listing this week. With Mavericks guard Nick Van Exel on the fringe of the Sixth Man Award race and Indiana forward Al Harrington now clearly eligible (he’s started 23 times in 49 games), the latter joins the listing in time for a week in which almost all of the top candidates played well. Harrington was no exception, notching 22 points and six rebounds in a disappointing loss to the Lakers at home.

Swingmen Michael Redd and Desmond Mason each had their worst games of the week when they took on each other on Thursday in a 97-91 Milwaukee victory over the Sonics. Redd was sizzling hot from the perimeter yet again as he pushed his scoring average over 15 points per game with a pair of 20-plus efforts. Mason had one of his best games of the season on Monday at New Jersey, almost single-handedly bringing the Sonics back from a deficit with 30 points, 14 of them in the fourth quarter. He tied the game with a three, but was unable to win it with another three attempt at the overtime buzzer. Mason also handed out a career-high six assists in that game and has been distributing the ball much better while starting at shooting guard for the Sonics.

Forward Corliss Williamson was typically consistent as his Detroit Pistons won all three games last week, scoring double-figures in each. His best effort came on Saturday against the Nets, with a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double. Andrei Kirilenko also managed double-figures in all four games his Jazz played, but failed to contribute in other facets of the game. The leading assister amongst these players, Kirilenko had just two dimes in four games last week.

THE SIXTH MAN RACE AT THE BREAK
Right now, there appear to be four main candidates for the Sixth Man Award – Mason, Redd, Harrington and Kirilenko. Depending on which expert you ask, the four could be placed in any order, and the same is seen breaking things down statistically. Mason is the leading rebounder and plays far more minutes than any other NBA reserve (he did last year as well), an indication of his value to the Sonics. Redd is the leading scorer and a deadly three-point shooter. Harrington does not dominate one category as the others do, but ranks highly across the board, while Kirilenko’s accurate shooting and his status as the best defender of the group are touted by his backers.

In anticipation of the All-Star break, TNT had its analysts make their picks for post-season awards so far. For the most part, their Sixth Man choices were head-scratchers. Kirilenko and Redd were the only two members of the aforementioned top four to be tabbed, and Redd only once, by Kenny Smith. Ernie Johnson choice Williamson, which is defendable. Still, add in 4.5 votes for Kirilenko, and there are 3.5 votes left. Who did they go to? Sacramento’s Bobby Jackson, who finished second in the voting last season and could be a dark-horse candidate this season once he gets healthy, which should be soon. That said, it’s no lock that Jackson is even eligible. So far, he’s started 26 of his 30 games. The Kings only have 31 games left, which means that even if Jackson played every game from here on out, he’d be ineligible for Sixth Man voting if he started just five times. If Jackson or the player he backs up, Mike Bibby, suffers even a minor injury, it would probably knock him out of contention.

Marcus Fizer was having the best season of his career. Greg Shamus/NBAE

THE SCOUTING REPORT -
MARCUS FIZER, F, CHICAGO
On Jan. 31, Chicago Bulls forward Marcus Fizer was one of the top candidates for the NBA’s Sixth Man Award. On Feb. 1, he was out for the season. Fizer hurt his right knee last Friday in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. He was initially placed on the injured list with a “sprained knee”, but by Saturday, the injury was diagnosed as a torn ACL, which will require 6-8 months to rehabilitate. After finding out he was out for the season, Fizer was downbeat. “It’s difficult,” he said of being injured, noting that he was disappointed about being unable to help his team.

Prior to the injury, Fizer had been having easily the best season of his career, averaging 11.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Those raw numbers were little different than Fizer’s 2001-02 performance, but he had made a huge jump in shooting percentage from 43.8% to 46.5%. As well, Fizer had really come on after a slow start to the season. During December and January, he averaged 13.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 50% from the field, a performance that would clearly have put him at the front of Sixth Man consideration had he been able to maintain it. Fizer credits his experience for his improved play, explaining, “I’ve been around the block a couple of times.”

Like Williamson, last year’s Sixth Man Award winner, Fizer may be ideally suited to coming off of the bench because of his style. At 6-8, he’s a bit undersized in terms of height for a power forward, but is a physical post presence who can overwhelm smaller players in the post. Fizer shakes off any concerns about his height, saying “Size doesn’t mean anything in this league.” Off the bench, Fizer’s defense is not such a concern, while he can provide instant offense and change the flow off the game. Fizer also doesn’t mind coming off the bench, saying, “If I’m in there when the final buzzer sounds, I’m happy with that.”

Fizer won’t be winning this year’s Sixth Man Award following his injury, but he’s a definite player to watch for next season. Good luck for a speedy recovery.

ABOUT THE SIXTH MAN AWARD
Most recent winner: Corliss Williamson, Detroit (complete list of winners)

No Sonic has ever won the Sixth Man Award, though several honorees have played for the Sonics (Eddie Johnson, Ricky Pierce, and Detlef Schrempf). The best Sonic finish was by current Coach Nate McMillan, who placed second during the 1993-94 season to Charlotte’s Dell Curry.

Eligibility: In order to be eligible for Sixth Man voting, a player must come off the bench for more games than he starts in.

PAST SIXTH MAN CENTRALS