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NBA Awards Watch: James Harden takes charge

By Brad Rowland

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) points to the sky against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Rockets won 127-118. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) points to the sky against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Rockets won 127-118. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Eastern Conference head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks addresses the media during practice at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Eastern Conference head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks addresses the media during practice at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Coach of the Year

  1. Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks – The Hawks experienced a bit of a hiccup, as they lost two consecutive games over a two-week period before and after the All-Star break. That may count as the first “adversity” for the club this season, but Budenholzer had his team ready in a runaway road win over Milwaukee on Sunday, and Atlanta continues to hold a wildly impressive 6.5-game lead in the Eastern Conference standings. That seems like a pretty good indicator of a positive coaching job, especially for a team that finished the 2013-2014 slate with a 38-44 final record.
  2. Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors – It is rare to write about Steve Kerr in the aftermath of a loss, but the Warriors fell in Indiana on Sunday. Of course, it must be noted that Stephen Curry was absent with injury, but as usual, Golden State competed to the end, and Kerr has this team rolling to the tune of a +12.0 net rating that nearly doubles any other NBA club. This team was good a year ago, but it is exceptional now, and with a nearly identical roster, all signs point to Kerr.
  3. Dave Joerger, Memphis Grizzlies – Joerger has come a long way from being an overmatched rookie coach that followed Lionel Hollins, and he is operating as one of the elite minds of the game. In fairness, the Grizzlies were a ready-made contender upon his arrival, but Memphis is 41-14 this season for a reason and they continue to land in the top-10 of the league offensively. That offensive execution sets this group apart from previous iterations, and Joerger has earned recognition for that.

Next: Most Improved Player

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