Coach of the Year:
Rowland: David Blatt, Cleveland Cavaliers
Honestly, this should be renamed as the “coaching narrative” award, and until it is, the choice should be San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich, because he is the best basketball coach on the planet. With that on the table, Blatt walks into a beautiful situation in Cleveland, and because of the vast turnaround in the standings and his innovative style, the first-year head coach is set up to take home the hardware.
Bourguet: Doc Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers
There are lots of great choices here. Gregg Popovich and Tom Thibodeau will always be in the running, Steve Clifford could sneak in there if the Charlotte Hornets really bring back the buzz and the same goes for Jeff Hornacek and the Phoenix Suns. But I’m going with Doc on this one because it’s not out of the question for Lob City to snag that No. 1 seed out West. The Oklahoma City Thunder will miss their MVP for at least a month and I think this is (finally) the year the San Antonio Spurs take a step back, so if the Clips lock up that top seed, Rivers becomes an easy choice.
Olin: Steve Clifford, Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are going to be one of the toughest defensive teams in the league, and they’re one piece away from being able to compete with the Bulls and Cavs in the East. If Clifford can find some offense, the Hornets will be one of the most improved teams in the league and should be the third-best team in the East by the season’s end.
Watson: Steve Clifford, Charlotte Hornets
Really could have won this last year. If the Hornets get close to 50 wins, he’s the guy.
Ogden: Monty Williams, New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have one of best six-man rotations in the NBA with Ryan Anderson, Omer Asik, Anthony Davis, Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon and Jrue Holiday. The frontman for that group is head coach Monty Williams. As New Orleans turns heads and makes a run to the playoffs, Williams will earn Coach of the Year honors as the leader of the Western Conference’s biggest turnaround season.