NBA Award Watch: Draymond Green dominating defensively

By John Buhler | Dec 23, 2016

Dec 11, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) wait for a rebound during a free throw in the second half at Target Center. The Warriors won 116-108. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 21, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni reacts in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Rockets defeated the Suns 125-111. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Coach of the Year: Mike D’Antoni

Mike D’Antoni should be coach of the year for the fantastic job he’s doing with the Houston Rockets. People hated that he got another head coaching job, but he has a superstar in James Harden that’s every bit as good as Steve Nash was for the Seven Seconds or Less Phoenix Suns.

Houston saw a 10-game winning streak snap at home earlier this week to the best road team in basketball in the San Antonio Spurs. Houston should finish in the top four in the Western Conference standings and win a playoff series at the very minimum.

D’Antoni’s Rockets are second in points per game at 113.0 and fourth in offensive efficiency at 114.5. Despite being known as strictly an offensive-mind, D’Antoni has wisely partnered with a strong defensive coordinator in Jeff Bzdelik. Bzdelik’s defense is 20th in points per game and 16th in defensive efficiency.

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When D’Antoni was hired by the Rockets, we all kind of suspected it would be an extreme version of the Suns, a Paul Westhead Loyola Marymount team or a Doug Moe Nuggets team: one speed, go! This is an offense-first team, but the offense is good enough to take them deep in the playoffs.

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