Shannon will have one major advantage over his competitors, and that comes from playing for arguably the most watched and followed teams in the NBA. In direct contrast, his major competitors for both awards like Beasley in Minnesota and Wilson Chandler in New York will get very little national play. Of course the big gold trophy at the end of the year is the ultimate goal for the Lakers, and not individual awards; however, there is significant Lakers’ history that could be made if Brown can take home one of these accolades. Brown would be the first Laker to ever win either the Most Improved Player or 6th Man of the Year award. Shannon faces fierce competition for both awards but if Shannon’s upward rise in play from “Dunk Day” to now continues, I can realistically see it happening, and the Lakers as a team would benefit greatly.
