LOS ANGELES – Jamal Crawford made the list of winners in the National Basketball Players Association’s 2016 Player Voice Awards, revealed on social media Thursday afternoon.
The reigning and three-time Sixth Man of the Year was named “Best Off The Bench,” given to the NBA player who best provides the spark of energy and reliability needed from a player off the bench.
“Jamal Crawford’s a guy who can get you a bucket in the blink of an eye,” Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum said in an NBPA video on the award. “He has an aggressiveness and a quiet confidence that allows him to be successful.”
Crawford averaged 14.2 points and 2.3 assists per game during the 2015-16 season, scoring at least 15 points off the bench in 10 straight games from Jan. 27-Feb. 20, the longest streak for any reserve player during the year. He also recorded the most games with at least 15 points off the bench from Dec. 25 through the end of the year, leading the Clippers in fourth-quarter scoring for the year.
The Players Voice Awards are the only awards voted on by the players and for the players. The various categories included MVP (Stephen Curry), Best Rookie (Karl-Anthony Towns), Best Dressed (Russell Westbrook), Player You Secretly Wish Was On Your Team (LeBron James), Clutch Performer (Curry), Best Defender (Kawhi Leonard), Toughest To Guard (Curry), Coach You’d Most Like To Play For (Gregg Popovich), Best Home Court Advantage (Warriors), Comeback Player Of The Year (Paul George), Favorite Social Media Follow (James) and more.
In collaboration with ACE Media, the NBPA created video packages celebrating each winner, along with testimonials from various NBA players. Voting for the awards took place after the regular season and didn’t factor in postseason performances.
“It’s always nice to be recognized for your accomplishments, but it’s extra special to win an award when you know it’s voted on by your peers,” Chris Paul, NBPA president and Clippers point guard, said in a release. “The Players Voice Awards allow us to celebrate the best performers of the year, and have some fun with the non-traditional categories.”