NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Rankings: Tim Hardaway Jr. inches closer to top spot

Despite the atrocious loss at the hands of the Utah Jazz Monday night, the Dallas Mavericks are finally operating at full capacity, something Mavs fans have awaited to see for some time now.

Dallas guard Kyrie Irving made his return from injury, following a 12-game absence. Fellow guard, Josh Green, also missed 12 games due to an elbow injury. He made his return on December 27.

NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Rankings: Tim Hardaway Jr. inches closer to top spot

Although Dallas lost by nearly 30 points, having Irving back in the rotation will ease Luka Doncic's excessive burden. Now with Irving in the fold, and Dante Exum a starter, Tim Hardaway Jr. will likely remain a reserve for the rest of the season, barring injury.

Hardaway Jr. started a few games in late December, before returning to his regular role. Upon his return to the bench, the Dallas guard tied his season-high with 32 points. Following his most recent impressive performance, find out where Hardaway Jr. ranks in this week's NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Rankings.

10. Bobby Portis

Last week's rank: 7

After shooting above 40 percent in every game but one in December, Bobby Portis has shot below 40 percent two games in a row for the first time since November. Nevertheless, he still helps his team out in other ways. He's recorded five or more boards in every game since December 16.

9. Naz Reid

Last week's rank: 6

Like Portis, the Minnesota Timberwolves big man has slowed down as of late. After a strong start to the month, Naz Reid failed to score in double digits for four consecutive games, before rattling off 21 points against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, his double-digit scoring effort was short-lived as he dropped five points on New Year's Day.

8. Immanuel Quickley

Last week's rank: 9

Former New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley won't remain for long in these rankings. Quickley was traded to the Toronto Raptors on December 30. Now a starter for the Raptors, Quickley scored 14 points and brought down six rebounds in a winning effort.

7. Bennedict Mathurin

Last week's rank: N/A

A new addition to these rankings, Bennedict Mathurin has excelled in a bench role for the Indiana Pacers. As a bench player, he's averaging more points and shooting much better from the floor and 3-point range.

6. Malik Monk

Last week's rank: 8

On New Year's Eve, Malik Monk went off for 27 points, four rebounds, and five assists in a 31-point win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The Sacramento Kings guard went 10-of-13 from the floor and 4-of-5 from downtown.

5. Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Last week's rank: 4

The Miami Heat's Jaime Jaquez Jr. has started more games than not as of late. However, it appears as if he'll be headed back to the bench once Jimmy Butler returns to play.

Butler has only played in one contest since December 18, on the 30th against the Utah Jazz. In the game, Jaquez Jr. came off the bench. Nevertheless, he still received 35 minutes of playing time.

On the season, Jaquez Jr. is averaging nearly 30 minutes per game, fourth most on the roster. Despite the ample playing time in his inaugural season, he's been playing with extreme efficiency.

The UCLA product is shooting 50.4 percent from the floor, 35.4 percent from 3-point range, and 85.2 percent from the free throw line. His efficiency is even better when he comes off the bench. As a reserve, he shoots 51.5 percent from the field, 39.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 87.0 percent from the charity stripe.

Jaquez Jr. ranks in the top 25 of rookies, all-time, in free throw and true shooting percentage. His 59.4 true shooting percentage mark is extraordinary. Of the top 25 rookie leaders in the category, he's one of five to attempt three or more 3-pointers per game.

Although this column is focused more on achievements as a top reserve, it's an accomplishment in itself to have so much success as a rookie.

The Miami forward is wise beyond his years. He plays with great pace, knows how to move without the ball, and scores like an early 2000s shooting guard.

Since Jaquez Jr.'s Christmas Day explosion, he's cooled off a bit. But, a top 5 ranking will likely remain where the 22-year-old remains for the rest of the season. He's that good.

4. Bogdan Bogdanovic

Last week's rank: 5

Atlanta guard Bogdan Bogdanovic rises from No. 5 in the rankings despite ice-cold shooting performances in recent appearances. He hasn't shot above 50 percent from the field since December 20, but that doesn't mean he'll shy away from letting it rip.

In December, Bogdanovic didn't go a game without attempting 13 or more shots. He also hasn't shot less than seven 3-pointers in a game since November.

The Hawks forward is just about as gunslinger as they come, yet his shooting splits aren't all that bad. On the season, he's shooting 44.0 percent from the floor and 37.9 percent from deep. These percentages are on par with his career shooting numbers.

With his increased usage, he's averaging more points than he has before while also averaging fewer turnovers in turn. Bogdanovic has done so with fantastic work off the catch.

Bogdanovic has never seen more of his looks, from two and three, come from assists. The Hawks sharpshooter is also knocking down 51.1 percent of his looks from the corner, where he attempts 17 percent of his 3-pointers.

Although he's fallen into a bit of a cold stretch as of late, he's still a dynamic scorer, who statistically speaking, is the most impactful player on the Hawks. Atlanta is an astounding 12 points per 100 possession better with Bogdanovic on the court.

3. Cole Anthony

Last week's rank: 2

Ever since his ascension to the top of these rankings, Cole Anthony's play has tailed off. He's still producing well for the Orlando Magic, but his contributions aren't as imposing as his fellow candidates.

Over December, Anthony averaged 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. All down from his impressive November. Alongside his decrease in counting stats, his usage rate and true shooting percentage also declined.

Throughout the past week, Anthony performed quite adequately. He never surpassed the 13-point mark, yet he never received more than 23 minutes in any game either. Although a lack of scoring was persistent, Anthony recorded five or more assists or rebounds in each of his past three contests.

The Magic guard hasn't had a true standout performance since December 21, where he recorded 18 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. That game against the Milwaukee Bucks was one of the best games of his season, but that shows just how impactful Anthony can be.

Even though his counting stats are down, he's proved to be an integral part of the team. He's recorded a positive plus/minus in five of his last six appearances. Unlike the top player's team, the Magic's plus/minus leaderboard is full of bench players as opposed to starters.

Although starting guard, Markelle Fultz remains out, the Magic have continued to entrust rookie guard Anthony Black with the starting point guard spot. Anthony's spot on the bench seems to be solidified, but a drop in these rankings may occur if he continues to decline.

2. Tim Hardaway Jr.

Last week's rank: 3

Dallas Mavericks' wing Tim Hardaway Jr. is more like Bogdanovic than the other three players in the top five. He's a high-volume shooter who runs into off-nights more often than not and rises from his No. 3 ranking from last week.

But games like he had against the Minnesota Timberwolves make up for the poor showings. Against Minnesota, he made 11 of his 19 attempts and five of 11 3-pointers. Hardaway Jr. scored 32 that night and was one of three Mavs to record a positive plus/minus.

However, after his fantastic game in Minnesota, he scored a combined 22 points on 8-of-21 shooting against the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz. In those two contests, he went a combined 2-of-14 from the 3-point line.

The criticism of Hardaway Jr. is justified, but he's done of better job of contributing outside the scoring column. Against the Warriors, he hauled in six rebounds and recorded a season-high five assists.

Hardaway Jr. increased both his rebounding and assist marks in December. His defensive rating also improved after a disastrous mark in November. And although he's not a plus defender by any metric, he remains especially skillful when it comes to drawing charges. Hardaway Jr. is tied for the league lead with 19 charges drawn this season.

Despite a plummeting 3-point percentage, Hardaway Jr. still ranks in the top 12 in made 3-pointers per game. Of course, it's easy to do when you rank fourth in the association in 3-point attempts. But all in all, it's a testament to Hardaway Jr.'s gunslinging nature that he attempts as many 3-pointers as he does, even on off-shooting nights.

1. Austin Reaves

Last week's rank: 1

Austin Reaves may not be the best in any given category amongst his peers in these rankings, but he remains the best all-around player here.

This year, Reaves is averaging 15.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. He's doing so while shooting 47.7 percent from the floor, 35.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 87.7 percent from the free throw line.

Not to mention he's been a whole lot better as a reserve. Reaves started the first nine games of the season but looked out of sorts. Since his move to the bench, he's averaged more points and assists while shooting it better from the floor, 3-point range, and the free-throw line.

Reaves has ascended month-by-month as well. December was his best month of the young season. He averaged 17.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in the last month of the year. December was also his only month with a positive plus/minus.

His on/off splits remain poor, but it's only a matter of time before they start to improve. In his first two seasons in Los Angeles, Reaves ranked in the 88th percentile or higher in efficiency differential. With Reaves on the court, the Lakers were a far better ball club.

In general, the Lakers starters are primarily the only players with a positive on/off split. Despite the lack of improvement with Reaves on the floor, he's held up in most advanced individual analytics. He ranks in the top 100 in win shares, box plus/minus, and value above replacement player (VORP).