As the NBA regular season comes to its final games, it's time for members of the media to make their choices for the awards, including Coach of the Year. An NBA awards show will take place this year, somewhat copying the style of the NFL Honors.
There are the usual awards being voted on including MVP, Most Improved, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year. This year, there are many great options for Coach of the Year that will make the voters think about their vote.
Here are three possible candidates for the award.
Brad Stevens
Brad Stevens, head coach of the Boston Celtics is one of the candidates for this year's Coach of the Year award. He has led the Boston Celtics to a 52-29 record with one more game to play. This is Boston's first 50-win season in a while, and Brad Stevens is to credit for that. He is a defensive minded coach and the Celtics are one of the best on-ball defensive teams in the league. He also has on of the NBA's top scorers in Isaiah Thomas, who is averaging almost 30 PPG. The Celtics were ranked in the top ten of ESPN's power rankings for 15 out of the 24 weeks this season.
Brad Stevens has increased his win total since becoming head coach, and now he is in a prime position to possibly clinch the one seed in the eastern conference.
Brad Stevens has brought some pride back into Boston and is deserving of the Coach of the Year award.
Erik Spoelstra
Erik Spoelstra is a name that wasn't in the Coach of the Year talks at the beginning of the season. After his Miami Heat team was 11-30 on January 13, many people rode off the heat and suggested they try to get a draft pick by tanking.
But coach Spoelstra wouldn't let that happen. He and the Heat rattled off 13 straight wins and found themselves in striking distance of the 8th playoff spot in the eastern conference.
Spoelstra has made this Heat team work even when they don' have a bonefied star on the roster. Their leading scorer is Goran Dragic, and Hassan Whiteside on the defensive end, the Heat have managed to salvage their season, currently at 40-41.
They need to win their last game and get some help, but if the Heat squeeze into the playoffs, Spoelstra's name will be a name worth thinking about for Coach of the Year.
Mike D'Antoni
In his first season as the Rockets head coach, Mike D'Antoni has led this Houston team to greater heights from their season last year. He is an offensive minded coach and when he moved superstar James Harden to the point guard position, many were skeptical. He proved everyone wrong as he turned Harden into one of the most dominant floor generals of the NBA. He leads the league in assist and averaging 29 PPG.
D'Antoni has made the Rockets offense a three-point shooting weapon, as they have broken many records this year with the three-pointer.
The Rockets have locked up the three seed in the western conference, currently having 54-27 record. D'Antoni has shattered his expectations in Houston, and is in the running for Coach of the Year.
Who Wins?
MIke D'Antoni is the one I believe will win the Coach of the Year Trophy. He has turned around the Rockets franchise, and Hardens career in a matter of one season. His offensive mind fits the scheme of the Rockets and they have benefitted from it. D'Antoni has made the best of his situation and will win the COTY because of it.
All of the coaches had great season with their team and all of them deserve this award. The season is coming to a close, and these coaches will need to tighten the screws in order to make a deep playoff run, or for Spoelstra's case, barely get in.
