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NBA Awards Watch: The Andrew Wiggins breakout

By Brad Rowland

NBA -- Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) laughs during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Target Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Trail Blazers 90-82. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
NBA -- Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) laughs during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Target Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Trail Blazers 90-82. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer has a word with referee John Goble (30) during the third quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Hawks won the game 115-107. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer has a word with referee John Goble (30) during the third quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Hawks won the game 115-107. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Coach of the Year

  1. Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks – It is January, and the Atlanta Hawks are leading the Eastern Conference with the third-best record in the NBA. Marinate on that for a minute. Mike Budenholzer has done incredible work in Atlanta, and their 26-8 record is no fluke, as evidenced by a net rating of +5.2 points per 100 possessions. The Hawks are the embodiment of team concept, with no superstar to speak of, and under Budenholzer’s direction, their offense is brilliant to watch and their defense has been the best in the league since Thanksgiving. It may be time to place some trust in the Hawks for the first time in a long time, and Budenholzer makes the engine fire in Atlanta.
  2. Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors – It isn’t Steve Kerr’s fault that the Warriors have better personnel than the Hawks, and that is the reason he “slips” to number two this week. Still, Golden State has the best record in the NBA (27-5) and the best net rating in the league (+12.6 points per 100) by a wide margin, and Kerr’s ability to revolutionize the Warriors on the offensive end is worthy of endless praise.
  3. Jason Kidd, Milwaukee Bucks – It seems odd to see a team with an 18-17 record represented in this space, but Jason Kidd has done a tremendous job in Milwaukee. The Bucks appear to be a surefire playoff representative in the Eastern Conference, and even without the services of elite rookie Jabari Parker for the rest of the season, Milwaukee has stabilized behind Kidd’s effective use of athleticism and depth. The Bucks have a positive net rating at +0.9 points per 100 possessions, and when you look at the roster as it stands (with caveats for Parker and Larry Sanders), that is a huge testament to Kidd’s efforts.

Next: Most Improved Player

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