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NBA Awards Watch: The All-Star Break ballot

By Brad Rowland

NBA commissioner Adam Silver presenting MVP after the second half of the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
NBA commissioner Adam Silver presenting MVP after the second half of the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks with guard John Jenkins (12) and center Al Horford (15) and guard Kyle Korver (26) and guard Dennis Schroder (17) and forward Mike Scott (32) in the first quarter of their game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks with guard John Jenkins (12) and center Al Horford (15) and guard Kyle Korver (26) and guard Dennis Schroder (17) and forward Mike Scott (32) in the first quarter of their game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Coach of the Year

Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks – Budenholzer lost to Kerr in the “battle” over All-Star Weekend, but Atlanta’s head man has the more impressive COY candidacy. Yes, Golden State has the better overall record, but the Hawks have turned around a team that finished 38-44 just a season ago, and at the break, Atlanta holds a highly unexpected 6.5-game lead in the East. Budenholzer’s system on both ends has maximized the talent that he was given, and he has seemingly integrated a group of hard-working guys into a full-blown gauntlet when they are clicking together.

Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors – Kerr’s resume writes itself. The Warriors are the best team in the league by record (42-9) and net rating (+12.3 points per 100), and Golden State has a legitimate chance to finish atop the NBA in both offense (currently second) and defense (first) at the end of the year. The argument against Kerr as a rookie coach is that he simply had to fix some obvious shortcomings from the previous regime, but no one saw this juggernaut coming and he has done a fantastic job in year one.

Jason Kidd, Milwaukee Bucks – The Milwaukee Bucks have doubled their win total from the entire 2013-2014 season. In other words, Jason Kidd deserves a medal. Frankly, his COY candidacy would be worthy of the top spot in most seasons, and he is doing it all without the number two overall pick in Jabari Parker. Milwaukee will have their hands full with a quality team in round one of the Eastern Conference playoffs, but even if they go down early, Kidd’s coaching job should not be ignored.

Next: Most Improved Player

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