ORLANDO, FL – The Los Angeles Clippers have been known to have productive players coming off the bench. During the Lob City era, it was Jamal Crawford. In this new chapter, it’s been Lou Williams.
Crawford and Williams have each won Sixth Man of the Year twice in the last seven years as Sweet Lou recently won it in 2018 and 2019. However, this year there is a new bench star for the Clippers being acknowledged.
Montrezl Harrell won the 2020 Sixth Man of the Year Award, becoming the third different Clipper to win the honor in the last seven years. It was Williams who actually presented Harrell with the award during the Clippers’ practice last Friday.
It was a well-deserved honor for Harrell who had a career-year averaging 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds and 1 block in 63 games this season. More than the impressive numbers, it’s the defense, the energy, intensity, and passion that Trez plays with every night that makes him an integral part of the Clippers.
Head coach Doc Rivers acknowledged what it meant for Harrell to win this award.
“I’m just so proud of him as a coach,” Rivers said. “He epitomizes what a Sixth Man of the Year award winner is, and trust me, we’re getting used to them here with Lou Williams and Jamal Crawford in the past. To have Trez join that group is really amazing.”
Harrell has dealt with a lot in his personal life recently after his grandmother, who was a major influence in his life, passed away. He left the NBA Bubble for 30 days to grieve and be with his family during that difficult time. Before she passed, she and Harrell spoke about him winning this award.
“We definitely talked about it and she told me that this year was going to be my year,” Harrell said. “It’s tough. It’s tough. I went back to my room and contemplated having my talks one-on-one with her, because we’ve had these talks…it just hurts that I’m not able to take it home to her.”
Trez has continuously improved the past three seasons establishing himself as a skilled, energy player who plays hard on both ends.
He’s also maximizing his value as an upcoming free agent this winter. To be awarded Sixth Man of the Year and potentially win a championship will mean a huge payday is coming Harrell’s way and it’s well-deserved.
