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NBA Awards Watch: Stephen Curry Holds the Crown

By Brad Rowland

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer looks on in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer looks on in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Coach of the Year

  1. Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors – The Warriors have been the best team in the NBA by a considerable margin, and when the best team is headed by a brand new head coach, the choice is easy. Golden State’s net rating (+11.9 points per 100 possessions) is more than three points better than any other team, and Kerr has done yeoman’s work in raising the team’s level on offense while keeping a league-leading defense on the court. He will certainly be tested if injury issues continue to plague Andrew Bogut, but right now, Steve Kerr is passing with flying colors.
  2. Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks – Don’t look now, but the Atlanta Hawks are 20-7 and within one game of the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta just navigated an insane four-game stretch against the Bulls, Cavaliers, Rockets and Mavericks by sweeping the quartet of games, and despite the lack of “star power”, the Hawks are one of the more entertaining teams in the NBA. Budenholzer should receive big-time credit for having Atlanta in a position to boast a top-10 offense and a top-10 defense at this point in the year, and if not for an incredible showing from Kerr, he would be the leader in the clubhouse for this honor.
  3. Kevin McHale, Houston Rockets – The biggest criticism of Houston from a roster-building perspective was their seemingly overwhelming reliance on James Harden and Dwight Howard. However, Howard has missed 12 of the team’s 27 games, and the Rockets are still 20-7. Sure, some of that credit should go to Harden (who has been incredible) and a solid supporting group, but Kevin McHale’s contributions should not go unnoticed. The Hall of Fame player hasn’t always been seen as a top-flight coach, but he is making a claim on that distinction now.

Next: Most Improved Player

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