NEW YORK --Aaron McKie, who helped the Philadelphia
76ers capture their first Atlantic Division title since 1990, won
the NBA's Sixth Man Award on Tuesday.
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| McKie |
McKie received 57 of 124 votes from a panel of sports writers
and broadcasters. Milwaukee's Tim Thomas finished second with 27 votes.
"I've become comfortable in my role," McKie said. "I know
what I need to do to help my team. I've never been a guy who's
concerned about his numbers. The only thing that is important to me
is to win, and I've told Coach (Larry) Brown that. Whatever the
team needs for me to do to be successful, that's what I want to do."
McKie, in his seventh NBA season out of Temple, averaged career
highs in points (11.6), rebounds (4.1), assists (five), steals
(1.39) and minutes (31.5). He started 33 of the 76 games he played.
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Voting for NBA
Sixth Man
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|
Player, team
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Votes
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|
Aaron McKie, Philadelphia
|
57
|
|
Tim Thomas, Milwaukee
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27
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|
LaPhonso Ellis, Minnesota
|
10
|
|
Bobby Jackson, Sacramento
|
9
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|
Travis Best, Indiana
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5
|
|
Ruben Patterson, Seattle
|
4
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|
Rodney Rogers, Phoenix
|
4
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|
Steve Smith, Portland
|
4
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Donyell Marshall, Utah
|
4
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|
Austin Croshere, Indiana
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1
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Tony Delk, Phoenix
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1
|
On Jan. 2, he was selected the league's Player of the Week after averaging 22.3 points, 8.7 assists, and six rebounds, and registering his first triple-double.
He recorded back-to-back triple-doubles against Sacramento on
Dec. 30 (19 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists) and Atlanta on Jan.
3 (11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists).
"This has helped me to put my life into perspective a little bit more. Life isn't fake after all. They gave the award to the guy
that really deserved it," said Allen Iverson, one of McKie's best friends on the team.
In addition to Brown, McKie was joined at a news conference by Temple coach John Chaney.
"These two guys are living legends," McKie said. "They mean
the world to me. They're not just great coaches, they're great
individuals... Coach Brown has been crucial to me elevating my game
and establishing my career. He's had confidence in me since the day
I came in here, constantly encouraging me in practice."
McKie started 33 games, mostly because of an injury to point guard Eric Snow. The Sixers were 20-13 in those games.
He missed six games to injury, but played with tendinitis in his right shoulder throughout most of the second half of the season.
"Here's a guy that's so professional, who never brings attention to himself, to be honored like this makes everybody feel good," Brown said.
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