A basketball player who is frequently utilized as the first of a team's replacements in a game. This person is called the sixth man because he serves as the sixth member of the team. The term was popularized by James Naismith, who introduced it into his game during the 1940s.
In the modern NBA, the sixth man is often a role player who contributes in many ways to help his team win games. They may play some position not listed on their official roster (such as the short stop position when no true small forwards or power forwards are available), they may fill in at point guard when needed, or even take over the full-time job for an injured player. Although they are not expected to put up huge numbers of points or rebounds, they must be able to consistently make the right decisions with the ball, and score efficiently when opportunities present themselves.
Some examples of players that fit this description include Jerry West, Ralph Sampson, Bill Walton, Donyell Marshall, Rashard Lewis, Chris Webber, and Lamar Odom.
The sixth man is usually not named as such; rather, he is referred to by various other names such as backup point guard, shooting guard, small forward, or power forward.
A basketball game has four basketball positions given to players: center, power forward, small forward, point guard, and shooting guard. The center is the tallest player on each team, and he or she plays near the hoop. On offense, the center tries to score and rebound close shots. On defense, they try to stop opponents from doing the same.
Power forwards are larger than centers and play the same position on offense and defense. They usually score around the basket and protect the area below it with their arms for defensive rebounds. On offense, they seek out open spaces on the court where they can drive safely toward the basket or pull up for a jumper.
Small forwards like to get to the free-throw line and shoot jumpers often. They tend to be more aggressive on offense than power forwards but still need to work on their ball handling skills. They're also called "shooting guards" because that's what they usually do on offense. They pass the ball and look for open teammates when they need a shot to go up for a rebound or defend a screener.
Point guards lead their teams down the court during offensive possessions by setting good screens for their teammates and getting them the ball in an open spot on the floor. They try to avoid contact with opposing defenders and make the right decisions under pressure from time to time.
NBA players are folks who like shooting baskets not just for enjoyment but also for a living. Their job is to play basketball for men's professional teams while also earning a salary from each game. When you watch a basketball game, you're watching someone earn their paycheck.
Like any other professional job, NBA players start out as amateurs who gain experience by playing in the minors before getting a chance at the big time. Even after becoming professionals, many players continue to play part-time for extra cash.
There are currently 26 members of the NBA team rosters, with one position open due to an injury. There are also several guys who log some minutes but aren't considered actual members of the team, including coaches, trainers, and managers.
The best basketball players in the world make millions of dollars per year because they have enormous talent and are very marketable. They can choose where to play and how much they want to be paid, which means there is no such thing as a "job security" for an NBA player.
In addition to being incredibly talented, NBA players need to be able to shoot hoops well enough to keep opponents' defense honest and make themselves available for open looks. They also need to be able to handle the physical demands of the sport, including dunking, blocking shots, and rebounding.
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