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NBA Awards Watch: The Anthony Davis Show

By Brad Rowland

New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Joerger during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Joerger during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /

Coach of the Year

  1. Dave Joerger, Memphis Grizzlies – Memphis is 10-1 and in the driver’s seat in the Western Conference, and it is easy to forget that Joerger was nearly jettisoned to Minnesota in the offense. The Grizzlies (wisely) brought him back for another year, and the dividends are paying off, with the “grit and grind” attitude of his team fitting well with new additions to fortify the bench. Memphis wouldn’t be my pick to finish with the top seed in the conference, but it is undeniable that Joerger is a quality voice on the bench.
  2. Dwane Casey, Toronto Raptors – I promise that I won’t simply pick the coaches with the top seeds in both conferences every week, but Casey has the Raptors playing high-end basketball. Toronto “brought the band back” for another year after their unexpected breakout in 2013-2014, but Casey has aided in the Raptors taking another step forward this year. If there is a club that can challenge Chicago and Cleveland, this is probably it.
  3. Jason Kidd, Milwaukee Bucks – Don’t look now, but Jason Kidd is a good basketball coach. Milwaukee probably isn’t going to make the playoffs despite their current mark of 5-5, but Kidd has proven that he fits in with the upper tier of head coaches, despite the off-court shenanigans that helped him land with the Bucks. It will be interesting to watch him continue to mold his young talent, namely in the form of Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Next: Most Improved Player

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