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NBA Awards Watch: Can Tim Duncan win Defensive Player of the Year?

By Brad Rowland

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles past San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second half at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 101-93. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles past San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) during the second half at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 101-93. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer draws up a play during a break against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Atlanta defeated Toronto 110-89. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer draws up a play during a break against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Atlanta defeated Toronto 110-89. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Coach of the Year

  1. Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks – Things are going well in Atlanta. The Hawks have won a league-best 13 consecutive games, and Budenholzer is the toast of the town. The longtime Spurs assistant has been well-known as a tactician since arriving in Atlanta, but this season, the team is playing lights-out basketball, as evidenced by a sizable lead in the Eastern Conference standings. At this point, Budenholzer is the no-doubt choice for Coach of the Year honors.
  2. Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors – Kerr is at the helm of the team with the best record in the NBA at 33-6, and Golden State is also leading the league in net rating by a wide margin, out-scoring opponents by more than 12 points per 100 possessions. In fairness to Steve Kerr, he would almost certainly be the leader in the clubhouse during a normal season, but the Warriors aren’t going anywhere.
  3. Dave Joerger, Memphis Grizzlies – The Grizz don’t play the most aesthetically pleasing brand of basketball in the NBA, but Joerger has been effective at getting the most out of his talent. Mike Conley and Marc Gasol clearly help his cause, but Memphis has encountered some personnel issues and passed every test without missing a beat. There is a contingent that views the Grizzlies as one of the teams to beat in the West, and I tend to agree.

Next: Most Improved Player

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