NBA award predictions — Coach of the Year
- Quin Snyder
- Monty Williams
- Billy Donovan
Just like last season, I expect the Utah Jazz to finish atop the NBA standings. The Jazz are an absolute regular season buzzsaw, and while the roster has yet to prove unassailable in the playoffs, there is no doubt Utah is positioned for greatness over the first 82 games of 2021-22.
That said, it’s hard to imagine Quin Snyder missing out on Coach of the Year twice in a row with the best record in basketball. He could learn a lesson from Mike Budenholzer and become a bit more adaptable, but even as is, it’s hard to question Snyder’s brilliance. He will put the Jazz right back at the top and in the title conversation.
The same for Monty Williams, who coached Phoenix to the second-best record in basketball last season and was, in my opinion, wrongly snubbed in favor of Tom Thibodeau when the final votes were cast. The Suns are going to be right back near the top of the NBA, and with a Finals run in the rearview mirror, Phoenix is cemented as a legitimate contender — and Williams is cemented as a top-tier coach. There’s hardly a more likable guy in the NBA too, which doesn’t hurt his cause.
Last but not least, Billy Donovan, who spent last season in the purgatory of NBA mediocrity with Chicago, but who is now primed for a much more fruitful second season with the franchise. The Bulls have drastically improved the roster and showcased an explosive offense in the preseason. With enough talent to take a meaningful step forward, Donovan should get recognition from his peers.
Do the Sixers have any Coach of the Year candidates?
Yes. Doc Rivers is Doc Rivers. There’s a certain weight to that name, and he will always have his place in the conversation, so long as his team experiences success. The Sixers have a difficult road ahead with the Ben Simmons drama, but if anything, that could improve his odds if Philadelphia wins in spite of the drama.
That said, while Rivers does have the respect of his peers, players, and of a large swath of media personalities, it does feel like the honeymoon phase is over in Philly. He just coached a mostly awful second round against Atlanta, and there are serious flaws in his coaching technique that were readily apparent last season. If the No. 1 seed and several career-best performances from his core players wasn’t enough to win the award, it’s hard to imagine Rivers making a stronger case this season.