Jeff Van Gundy: Jamal Crawford, Taj Gibson Deserve Sixth Man of the Year Award

Nov 6, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Jamal Crawford (11) against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jamal Crawford of the Los Angeles Clippers won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2010 and has since been a perennial candidate for the award.

According to Jeff Van Gundy, Crawford will win the Sixth Man again.

“There are a lot of good candidates that end up starting a lot, [like] Jamal Crawford, you could never go wrong picking him,” he said in an interview with me earlier this year.

Though Crawford is known to often start, he’s only started 23 of 61 of the Clippers’ games this season; therefore he’s a candidate for Sixth Man.

February 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls power forward Taj Gibson (22) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Chris Kaman (9) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Taj Gibson, on the other hand, isn’t a borderline starter by any means.

The four-year veteran has started only eight of the 69 games the Chicago Bulls have played this season.

“A guy who has played a predominant amount of time, coming off the bench, I pick Taj Gibson,” continued Van Gundy.

The Chicago Bulls’ first player off the bench often finishes games over Carlos Boozer, the starting power forward.