Malik Rose knows what you're going to say, and he doesn't want to hear it. He doesn't even want you thinking about it.

Rose heard the same thing at the same time last year. He even listened. And what did that get him?

An all-expenses paid trip to the injured list? A TV commercial for a chiropractic clinic?

"No, no, no, no," Rose said. "Don't start talking about the Sixth Man. Not yet. Say I'm going to get the 12th Man Award."

As reluctant as he may be to start campaigning for postseason honors, Rose also can't be dismissed as another towel-waving Jack Haley. Through the first six games of the season, he has proven to be one of the Spurs' most consistent performers.

Rose is fourth on the team in scoring (11.0 points per game) and third in rebounding (5.6), but his productivity per minute in those categories rates second only to Tim Duncan. In Thursday's win over Charlotte, he had 11 points and three rebounds in his first seven minutes.