Jerome Williams of the Pistons seems to always be around the ball.

Don't forget to vote in this week's Decision 2000 topic on most overrated. Here is the poll from last week and some of the better comments below.

I believe if you put it all on the line, the go-to guy would truly and positively be Cuttino Mobley. Not only is he a big-time player, but a very consistent player off the bench! He's a big reason the Rockets have a better record than they should have. He's truly a young, talented, second-year player who will be a high-flying star in the years to come! My support and recommendation is for Cuttino Mobley!

Carlos Vaquerano
Houston, Texas

Judging by the poll results so far, I can only hope that many of the voters here haven't been out to very many games, and have clearly based their votes on what they see on ESPN and nationally televised games. How can you people not vote for Cuttino Mobley? This kid is a starter on 75 percent of the other NBA teams out there! He definitely would have been a starter if the Rockets hadn't gone through all the trouble of signing Shandon Anderson this year. He brings everything to the Rockets but the kitchen sink, and compliments Stevie Francis better than anyone else I can think of. Geez, people, y'all seriously need to get out to the games more often. I mean, Rogers, Camby, Horry ahead of Cat? The only one ahead of him that I can even fathom is McGrady, and that's a toss-up at the minimum. Get to the games more often folks!!!

J.R.
Tokyo, Japan

First, being sixth man on a contending team should be a factor, because it's helping the team get where they are. For this reason, I give my vote to Marcus Camby of the Knicks (and I'm not from New York!) I'm a Laker fan, but Marcus makes a BIG difference in a game. His rebounding, hustle and shot-blocking give the team a giant boost as sixth man. Second, I'd pick Austin Croshere of the Pacers. He has filled a big hole for Indiana coming off the bench to get big rebounds and he can give a good scoring lift. With a still-ailing Smits, he's right there at the top for sixth man. Third, I'd pick Rodney Rogers, who has really kept the Suns in the middle of the pack in the West. Thanks for asking.

William Crist
Boone, N.C.

I found it interesting that you did not list any of the Magic bench players in your poll. Perhaps it is because, unlike other teams, the entire Magic bench is contributing night after night. Maybe you need to do a poll on the best bench in the league, but then ... what would be the point? See you in the playoffs.

Brian Levine
Orlando, Fla.

Marcus Camby is definitely the top sixth man in the game because he provides the Knicks just what they need when a starter leaves the game. He can fill in at center or either forward position and he brings them strong defense and rebounding. Sure, guys like McGrady, Rogers and Ceballos score more, but that's because their teams need them to produce in that way. With Sprewell, Houston, Ewing and Johnson, Camby doesn't need to put a lot of points on the board. His role is more oriented to defense, and he fills his role better than the other top sixth men in the game.

Mike Gerardi
Buffalo, N.Y.

Although I'm not a Knicks fan, I'd cast my vote for Camby. He really seems to be the most complete player in the group. He's been asked, over the past few seasons, to play many different roles, including having to carry New York when Ewing was hurt. He can play the 5 or 4, even the 3 if the Knicks need to go big. Not one particular facet of his game is weak, being an excellent defender, an above-average rebounder, a solid scorer if needed and a decent passer. Sometimes the role of a sixth man goes beyond the numbers and some of the players on your list are simply scorers. Camby fills many roles. If I was starting a franchise, I'd have to chose Tracy McGrady, but Marcus Camby is the NBA's best sixth man.

Ted Benson
Hamilton Square, N.J.

Rodney Rogers is definitely the sixth man of the year. Rogers always comes off the bench whereas McGrady sometimes starts. Rogers also plays for a team that has a much better chance of winning the title. Rogers has to be given credit for being one of the best three-point shooters in the league. He has also won many games while coming off the bench. McGrady's good, but I don't know if McGrady has yet to do that.

Isaac Neubelt
Bradford, Vt.

I believe the award should go to Robert Horry. Although his stats are not impressive, he does so many other things that don't show up in the stats. He always provides the right spark, at the right time and I attribute the success of the Lakers this season to him just as much as any other member of the team. He always hits the basket when it is really needed, he always provides the block when it is needed and I believe he is very underrated as an offensive rebounder. He is also one of the reasons why the Lakers are playing such great defense this year. His long frame and long arms give him an advantage at poking the ball away and challenging the shot! Thank you, Robert.....

Nick
Fullerton, Calif.

Jerome Williams, I believe, is the best sixth man in the league. Yes, I am from Michigan and I am a long-time Pistons fan, but this vote of mine is not based on favoritism. Although Jerome is not among the top scorers or rebounders, his electrifying presence and enthusiasm off the bench is enough to spark any team to rise its game. He is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen when on the floor. Hustling everywhere, diving, sprinting and just throwing his body in harm's way to make that great play. Please consider my vote and choose Jerome Williams as the NBA's sixth man of the year.

Chris S.
Michigan

Predrag is without a doubt the best sixth man in the league. The energy and efficiency that he brings off the bench makes him priceless. He will be a starter and has the potential to put up 25 points a night when given the playing time. He brings consistency to the Kings, which is a great need for this team.

Scott Ferreira
Escalon, Calif.

This is a tough decision among all of the strong players, particularly Camby and McGrady (who will no longer be a sixth man soon enough), but Rodney Rogers is the best sixth man this year. He has been overlooked because of his years in the dark with Denver and the Clippers, but now that he is on a playoff team, the sun is shining. He is not a finesse player, but a bruiser, really giving the Suns a lift off the bench when they need it. He has been on fire from the floor recently (and led the Suns to several victories as of late) and is strong on the boards both offensively and defensively. If I were a coach I would love to have Rogers on the bench!

Wesley Davis
Buenos Aires, Argentina

My pick is Chris Gatling. This guy is awesome. Since Raef LaFrentz can get into foul trouble a lot, Gatling is always there. I believe he is one of the few players on the Nuggets who give it 100 percent every night. Chris is the best sixth man and always has been. He's the man who should win the award this year. So why isn't he getting that many votes?

Terron
Greeley, Colo.

Frankly, I think Howard Eisley of the Jazz is the best sixth man this year. Other than Ostertag he is the only significant contributor off the Jazz bench, and without him the Jazz would not be leading the division, or probably even close. He is not the best player coming off the bench -- but he is the most valuable for his team.

Bill Robens
Santa Fe, N.M.

Tracy McGrady, without a doubt. He's a full-time starter, but will still qualify since he hasn't started for more than half the year (42 games). This kid can play 1, 2 or 3 and is an amazing shot blocker for his size. Call me crazy, but I like his dunks better than Carter's. If it wasn't for T-Mac, then I'd say it'd be a toss up between Cuttino Mobley or Joe Smith.

Michael Poppy
New London, Wisc.

There's no question Rodney Rogers is a shoe-in for the sixth man award. Just examine his transition from a career starter to the premier bench player in the NBA. He could easily start at small or power forward for just about any NBA team. The Suns are filled with talent and Rogers displays their ability to balance that talent and recognize that he can come off the bench and make the second team as good as the starters. He's in the league leaders in not only field goal percentage, but also three-point percentage! He's trimmed down into great shape and shows that being on a good team can bring the best out in a player, regardless if he's a starter or a bench player. What's most important is winning, and that's what the Suns are doing, without Kidd and Gugliotta, two NBA All-Stars. Thanks to Rodney.

Jim
Los Angeles, Calif.

I think Joe Smith should get it because he plays such an important role in the Timberwolves system. He gets tons of offensive and defensive rebounds and puts them in for second-chance points. Without him, the T-Wolves wouldn't be nearly as good.

Scott Larson
Underwood, N.D.

Stats often don't reflect the impact a player has on the game. If it did then Ced Ceballos would win hands down. If it's after-impact (which generally translates to wins) then you've probably got to toss a coin between the high energy play of the Cambyman and the great forward play of Rodney Rogers this season. I think you'll see Rogers gets the votes come the end of the season.

Norman Kurta
Melbourne, Victoria

The best sixth man is Austin Croshere. He helps the Pacers more than any other sixth man helps their team. The Pacers don't have an outstanding star player and have to rely on balance. When Croshere enters the game the Pacers don't miss a lick.

David M. Cox
Greenville, Ohio

I am a HUGE Knicks fan, therefore would be delighted if Camby got the award, which he fully deserves for the amount of work/energy he puts in to every minute he gets on court. But I would be lying if I said that McGrady will not get it. He has proven to be an absolute superstar -- he just has a certain Dream Teamer by the name of Carter impeding his on-court appearances. Both he and Camby would not only be starters but also possibly franchise players on many other teams. They are the main candidates as far as I am concerned.

Pablo Aimar
London, England

You want to know who the sixth man should be: BOBBY PHILLS.

If Cedric Ceballos played for anyone but the Mavericks, he would already have the award. He is a fine player and a big reason for the Mavs' late-season surge. Looking at the stats, he averages the most points and 7 rebounds as well. I thought a sixth man was supposed to bring a spark off the bench and Don Nelson probably likes Ceballos' 17-points-a-game spark. Once again, If Cedric played for the Knicks, he might be nominated for MVP much less being barely considered for the sixth man.

Aaron Switzer
Gainesville Texas

In my opinion, Tracy McGrady and Cuttino Mobley are the best of the bunch for sixth man of the year. McGrady, despite becoming a starter as of late, brings all kinds of things to the lineup off the bench. He can block shots, rebound and score. His size allows him to present match-up problems. Mobley, not quite as big of a name, has given a lackluster Houston team (past Steve Francis, of course), a scoring threat. Mobley lacks the media attention, but he is an excellent all-around player. Don't forget Cedric Ceballos or the unmentioned Toni Kukoc, both excellent players off the bench. The edge here goes to McGrady, though being young and inexperienced holds him back a bit. McGrady really makes a huge difference for Toronto.

Brian Gillespie
Philadelphia, Pa.

My vote goes to Chris Gatling, for his ability to come onto each new team, quickly adapt, and provide positives for his team immediately! He can score and rebound, sure, but he also provides hustle, and a positive attitude off the bench. He's the perfect NBA sixth man! He's also a great guy. I had the pleasure of meeting him here in Denver, and he was one of the most courteous professional athletes I've ever met.

Alan Switzer
Englewood, Colo.