This season, the NBA Coach of the Year award seems to be up for grabs under certain circumstances. If the Golden State Warriors are able to beat the ’96 Bulls 72-10 record, Steve Kerr will win the award. Actually, there are rumors that the Coach of the Year ballot will have the combo of Kerr and Luke Walton. If the Warriors do not beat the record, the award could go to a multitude of coaches. Let’s take a look at the potential suitors for the Coach of the Year award.
Steve Kerr/Luke Walton: As I said earlier, there are rumors that the Coach of the Year ballot will have the combo of these two names. While Kerr was recovering from back surgery, Walton was the interim head coach and led the Warriors to a 39-4 record. They are on the cusp of possibly having the most wins in a regular season ever. If the Warriors are able to reach 73 wins, there is no question that the award should be given to this combo.
Gregg Popovich: In all honesty, Popovich could win this award every season. With the Warriors taking the spotlight with their historic season, the San Antonio Spurs are currently 64-12 and are 39-0 at home. Everyone knew the Spurs were going to be great and one of the favorites to win the NBA championship, but not with a record this good. Popovich keeps the Spurs under the radar as always and they are always at the top. But with a car not given to the winner of the award, Popovich will not seem to care too much for it.
Terry Stotts: After losing four of five starters from last season, the Portland Trail Blazers were projected to win 26 games and be lottery bound. They are currently 41-37 and almost a lock to make the playoffs. This shows how much coaching can do for a team. Stotts kept faith in his young core and has them playing to their true potential. This has truly been one of the great stories in the NBA this season. It would be great for the NBA to award Stotts for highly exceeding expectations.
Dwane Casey: The Toronto Raptors are having the best season in their franchise history. This is the first time that the franchise will reach 50 wins and they will be the two seed in the Eastern Conference. It is possible that the Raptors could be representing the East in the NBA Finals. Casey has done a great job of integrating his offseason acquisitions into the lineup and making them a big part of the Raptors success. He has Kyle Lowry playing the best basketball of his career. While the team will mainly be judged on how they do in the playoffs, this award is solely based on the regular season. Casey is doing great things for the Raptors.
Brad Stevens: What a year it has been for the Boston Celtics. After reaching the playoffs last season as an eight seed, the Celtics are currently the four seed in the East with a 45-32 record. Stevens is doing a great job with a team that does not have a true superstar on his roster. He was even able to get the Celtics to end the Warriors 54 game-winning streak at home. Stevens has a special connection with young players. He dealt with college players at Butler University and now deals with a very young Celtics team. He brings out the best in each player and it has led to success.
Steve Clifford: The Charlotte Hornets have been a fairly mediocre team the past few seasons. This season, they have already clinched a spot in the playoffs and currently sit at 44-32. Earlier in the season, the Hornets seemed to be heading to another mediocre season. But, Clifford saw the potential in his team and has them playing their best basketball. He has done a great job of using offseason acquisitions Nicolas Batum, Jeremy Lin, and Jeremy Lamb. Clifford also has Kemba Walker, which makes life a little easier for a head coach. He has the Hornets in a great position for the present and the future.
Any of these candidates could win Coach of the Year. It is up the voters if they want to award winning at a high level or exceeding expectations. Whoever wins this award will truly deserve it.
