Coach Of The Year check-in: how does Joe Mazzulla stack up?

Award races are beginning to warmth up. However, much like our piece about Sixth Man of the Yr, that doesn’t essentially imply the discussions themselves have to get heated. We will have a pleasant, informal dialogue about one of many nearer award races this season, Coach of the Yr.

At this level within the season, there are 4 official candidates. Mike Brown, Mike Malone, Mike Budenholzer, and the one candidate not named Mike, Joe Mazzulla. Let’s begin with the top man in Inexperienced earlier than going via our foray of Coach Mikes.

Joe Mazzulla (+225)File: 47-21

Regardless of the sky-high expectations of the Celtics this yr, Mazzulla has been a revelation. He’s had his lumps like several coach, complaints about his rotations and lack of timeout utilization have plagued everybody’s Twitter feeds this yr, however all issues thought-about, he’s about pretty much as good of a rookie coach as you’ll discover.

He’s already gained two Coach of the Month awards, was the top coach of an All-Star group, and has the Celtics taking part in at an elite tempo. Might the Celtics be higher? Positive, however that doesn’t imply {that a} 47-21 file for a rookie coach isn’t insanely spectacular. I feel the take of “anybody may coach a group with this a lot expertise” is a bit heavy-handed and is simply too hypothetical. No matter who COULD have the job, Mazzulla has it and is doing fairly effectively with it. He at the moment sits 2nd in Vegas odds for Coach of the Yr, however a powerful near the season may see him actually make a push for the #1 spot.

Mike Brown (-220)File: 40-26

The Kings, sure the Sacramento Kings, are the #2 seed within the Western Convention. Led by an thrilling offense and probably the greatest beginning fives within the NBA, they’re pushing groups just like the Grizzlies and Suns for additional house playoff video games. Mike Brown has finished an incredible job of protecting this group ready and utilizing the instruments on the roster to one of the best of their benefit.

The event of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis particularly has been very spectacular. However, -220? Over the rookie phenom coach of a group with a greater file. It’s attention-grabbing to see Brown such a giant favourite. For me, that is actually the place circumstance and context come into play. If Brown was doing this for a distinct franchise, would he be such an enormous favourite? If he was the coach of a group that had made the playoffs within the final 20 years, it could be a distinct story. BUT…that is the Kings. Context issues. Gentle the beam!

Mike Malone (+450)File: 46-22

Chasing the present coach of the Kings is the previous coach of the Kings, Mike Malone. To be sincere, his trophy case is surprisingly barren for his groups being so persistently good. He has solely two Coach of the Month awards for his CAREER, the 2nd coming simply final January.

This season, the media has seemingly taken an identical sentiment to his others. Good group with an excellent participant, however the context simply isn’t robust sufficient. Individuals appear way more targeted on Jokic and his MVP race than they’re working to Twitter to get Mike Malone a Coach of the Yr — a disgrace too as a result of this Nuggets group is excellent.

We have a look at Jokic and simply assume they are going to be good, however Malone’s two-way scheme has been efficient for years. The scheme permits gamers to move simply round Jokic and when the group is wholesome, Malone’s rotations are a number of the finest within the recreation. We could go Malone’s complete Denver tenure with out him being correctly acknowledged for his work with the group, however I’m certain he’d reasonably simply win the NBA Finals anyway.

Mike Budenholzer (+800)File: 48-19

Profitable awards on the finish of the day is all about narratives and it’s very straightforward to construct a case in opposition to Mike Budenholzer. Firstly, Giannis has been simply excellent this yr. His 31.2-11.9-5.5 is ridiculous and his on-court impression has felt even heavier this season with Khris Middleton being so sluggish returning to type. Secondly, the Bucks are 7-6 with out Giannis this yr. An excellent file, however nothing to actually name house about. Giannis is about as heliocentric a participant within the league is true now. He and Mike Malone are in very related boats, although I couldn’t actually let you know why one is over the opposite. To me, they need to each have the identical odds, contemplating they’re in the very same state of affairs. Head coach of the #1 seeded group of their convention with an MVP candidate on the middle who would each reasonably have an NBA title anyway.

Honorable Mentions

Tom Thibodeau: +1000JB Bickerstaff: +1600Doc Rivers: +1800Taylor Jenkins: +2500