Tari Eason Can Break the Mold for Sixth Man of the Year

The Houston Rockets have one of the best second units in the entire NBA, and they have at least a couple of potential candidates to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.

While the NBA Sixth Man of the Year trophy almost always goes to the a top 6  league's top bench scorer, Houston’s Tari Eason can break that mold and claim the award through his elite and disruptive defense.

Eason has firmly established his reputation as one of the most disruptive secondary defenders in the league, averaging 1.3 steals and .7 blocks per game despite playing limited minutes off the bench.

Eason has a 2.8% career steal percentage (CSP), meaning that he generated a steal on nearly 3 out of every 100 opponent possessions. This ranks him #1 in the entire NBA for CSP, topping even two-time Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest perimeter defensive forwards in NBA history.

Eason’s candidacy centers on his disruptive energy. Equipped with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and relentless instincts. He not only uses his impressive traits on defense; he is also an elite rebounder, particularly on the offensive end.

Of his 6.3 rebounds per game, 2.1 came on the offensive glass—accounting for 33% of his overall rebounding production. While most players generate just 20% to 25% of their rebounds offensively, Eason's 33% mark puts him far ahead of the curve.

The biggest hurdle in Eason winning the award will be his ability to stay healthy and his inconsistent shooting. Historically, the award winners average near 15 to 20 points per game. For Eason to earn serious consideration, he needs to sustain efficient perimeter shooting and maintain a consistent scoring presence alongside his defensive output.

The addition of legendary shooting coach Chip Engelland is precisely the development that could unlock Tari Eason's full potential. Known throughout the league as "The Shot Doctor," Engelland has a long track record of transforming defensive-minded wings with inconsistent jump shots into reliable perimeter threats.

If Engelland can refine Eason's mechanics and build his efficiency to around 36%–38% from three-point range and around 15 points per game, Eason will easily cross the scoring threshold required to win Sixth Man of the Year, combining his elite two-way impact with consistent offensive production

If Eason can reach the offensive threshold, he would not only be a contender for the award, but it could make him the favorite.