NBA Awards Watch: The wizardry of Mike Budenholzer

Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks to guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks to guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer coaches on the sidelines against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Atlanta defeats Indiana 108-92. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer coaches on the sidelines against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Atlanta defeats Indiana 108-92. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Who leads each of the NBA awards for 2014-15?

On the heels of an unusually quiet Monday in the Association as a result of the national championship game in the world of college football, there is still plenty to discuss on the hardwood. The title favorites have changed drastically since the start of the 2014-2015 season (hello, Atlanta?!), and from an individual perspective, there are a few players who have wildly outperformed expectations, leading them to full-on contention for some of the league’s most prestigious hardware.

With that on the table, we will be visiting you each week to fill out a mock “ballot” in each of the six major award categories, and while things are quite fluid, this should present a snapshot of where the league is over that seven-day period. There will almost always be upheaval from week to week, at least somewhere within the major categories, but in the same breath, stalwarts have begun to emerge as mid-January arrives.

Let’s take a look at the choices, beginning with the Coach of the Year choices at this early stage.

Next: Coach of the Year