Los Angeles - Some egos would have been bruised, calling it an obvious demotion, but Jason Terry embraced his new role and the Dallas Mavericks shooting star was rewarded for it. Terry was named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year on Friday, after making the successful transition from starting guard to super sub.
"It's all about the team," Terry said. "That's what I have been about since day one."
Terry received 576 of a possible 605 points, including 111 of a possible 121 first-place votes, from a panel of 121 sportswriters.
J.R. Smith of the Denver Nuggets finished a distant second with 155 points, and Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks was third with 113 points.
A starter for most of his career, the energetic Terry came off the bench to average 19.6 points in 63 of the 74 games he played, missing the other eight due to a broken left hand.
Terry was inspired by the way former All-Star and now teammate Jerry Stackhouse made the switch to an effective bench star, providing energy and instant offence when called upon.
"When he first came to the Mavericks he could easily have been starting," Terry explained. "But when I (saw) him step back and take the sixth man role, I said one day that might be me. And I took it to heart."
Terry welcomed his new role when informed by Mavs coach Rick Carlisle how he planned to use the high scorer.
"Once you accept it, then it's your job to be prepared every night and to play to your fullest abilities," Terry said. "I think my teammates have helped me do that," he said.
"Coming off the bench there's no warm up shots. You don't get a time or two up court. I think that's the toughest part of the game - being able to jump right into the fire -that's a special skill."
Carlisle agreed that it takes a special player to make the change, and Terry has those qualities.
"You talk to any guy who has been a 20-point scorer in this league, and talk to them about coming off the bench and giving us a lift. Most guys will just roll their eyes," he said.
"You have to programme it a certain way, if you are going to be coming off the bench and be expected to make shots right away.
"The ability to do it, but also the willingness to embrace it has got to be a part of it. That's who he is, and he wants to be a part of something that's bigger than himself. That's really what this is all about."
When asked if he sees this as a possible career move, Terry smiled.
"Why not? I like it," he said. "If that means my team is going to be up there competing for a championship, then that's the role I will assume."
