In addition to the not starting more than 50% of the games you play in can the other qualifier be that you cannot be in the top 5 of minutes played on your team during the year?
In the last 15 seasons one two players have won the award meeting this requirement (Brogdon and 2014-15 Lou Williams)
I just feel like this would capture the essence of the award without caveating players that are top 5 minutes but either injury or lineup staggering have them qualifying
case in point: Tyler Herro won 6th man two years ago. He played 32.6 MPG, tied for 3rd on the team and equal to Bam - a full time starter. He also led the team in FGA per game.
69 players in the NBA started 50 or more games and played less minutes per game than Herro.
IF the design of the award is to reward bench role players, not the main contributors, players like Herro shouldn’t have been eligible.