Taylor Jenkins vs. J.B. Bickerstaff vs. Billy Donovan: Who Should Be Frontrunner for NBA COY?
By Matt De Saro
The Phoenix Suns have been one of the best teams over the last two seasons and are heating up again heading into the new year. Monty Williams has his team firing on all cylinders with a 25-5 overall record and a 2nd place spot in the competitive Pacific Division of the Western Conference.
Now, after opening the season with +1100 odds to win the NBA Coach of the Year award, his odds have dropped all the way down to +275 in a tie with Steve Kerr from the Golden State Warriors.
But, this article isn’t about the betting favorites.
Instead, let's focus on some of the “dark horse” candidates for the COY award. While Kerr and Williams are locked up atop the odds board, there is a lot of value to be had down the list a bit.
Here are the current odds to win NBA Coach of the Year from WynnBET Michigan:
- Steve Kerr +275
- Monty Williams +275
- Billy Donovan +650
- Erik Spoelstra +1400
- James Borrego +1500
- John-Bair (J.B.) Bickerstaff +2000
- Quin Snyder +2000
- Wes Unseld Jr. +2000
- Doc Rivers +2250
- Mike Budenholzer +3000
- Taylor Jenkins +3000
Billy Donovan +650
The 2021-22 Chicago Bulls have been one of the more surprising teams so far this season and currently lead the Central Division with a 17-10 record. That is not to say that the Bulls were expected to be bad, but Donovan’s team was not widely considered to be the best in the division. They are second in the Eastern Conference behind the Brooklyn Nets and tied with the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bulls have been getting it done on defense this season; ranking fourth in the NBA in opponents' field goals made per game and give up just 105.7 points per contest. The Bulls rank within the top-10 in most major defensive statistics and are also 13th in points scored on offense.
If the Bulls keep this up and make a deep run into the playoffs, Donovan has a real shot at winning the COY award this season.
J.B. Bickerstaff +2000
The 2021-22 Cleveland Cavaliers are another team raising a few eyebrows to start the season.
Cleveland is currently 17-12 and third in the Central Division. Heading into a Wednesday night showdown with the Rockets, the Cavs are riding a four-game win streak with victories over the Heat, Kings, and Bulls.
Now in his third season with the Cavs, Bickerstaff is finally putting up winning numbers for a team that hasn’t had a winning season since LeBron James was on the team. It’s still early, but Bickerstaff could turn this team into a force in the East. They already lead the NBA in ATS wins which shows how much they have excelled in their first 29 games.
Taylor Jenkins +3000
We’re getting into true dark horse territory here with Jenkins well down the odds board at 30-1 to win the Coach of the Year award. Jenkins was in the discussion for this award last year after leading the Memphis Grizzlies to their first playoff berth in four years and their first winning season since 2016-17.
Memphis looked to be in trouble after star point guard Ja Morant got hurt in late November, but the Grizzlies have won eight of their last nine games without him. Once Morant gets healthy, the Grizzlies should only continue to get better, making Jenkins an interesting candidate.
The Grizzlies are off to a good start. They lead the Southwest Division as of today with a 17-11 record and are fourth overall in the Western Conference behind the Jazz, Spurs, and Warriors. Memphis has reeled off three straight wins against the Rockets, Lakers, and 76ers and appears to be just getting warmed up heading into 2022.