Coach of the Year

[greensamurai]

Today when I was navigating ESPN I read their awards watch where it talks about the potential candidates to win certain awards and why.

I was looking at COY looking to find Doc, and to no surprise he wasn't there. Again.

I totally understand Thibs being a top candidate to win COY. What he has done with the Bulls is simply amazing. Turned them from a .500 team the past two years to a possible #1 seed in the Easy and championship contender. Whether or not his success with them will continue for the next couple years remains to be seen, especially considering how hard he works them, and working that hard is more tiring if you're losing.

I get Popovich too, his strengths as a coach remind me of Doc, except he trusts his rookies a lot more than Doc does, which to this point has worked out for him.

Doug Collins. Okay. Get it.

George Karl. Sure, why not, they have been on a tear without Melo, playing some well-rounded, balanced ball.

Nate McMillan. Of course, he gets his team to win without what an all star in Brandon Roy being able to hit his full potential because of injury, which is tragic to see. The Blazers made the playoffs last year and should make the playoffs this year as well despite numerous, numerous injuries.

Then they go on to mention Lionel Hollins of the Grizzlies as well. All these guys are good coaches, obviously a few being a cut above the rest.

How come no love for Doc? Not even an honorable mention or something. Honestly, he is one of the top 3 coaches in the league along with Popovich and Jackson. He gets no respect from these so called "experts". We all know that if Erik Spoelstra doesn't get his team option picked up, Pat Riley would love to bring Doc down to Miami and get him a championship, and we all know they would be scary, really scary with a coach like Doc. No offense to Spoelstra, but I don't think he is ready to lead a team like the Heat quite yet.

Unfortunately for us, this will probably be Doc's last year coaching the green as he wants to see Austin ball it up at Duke next year. He may come back, but I don't know if it is going to happen next year, no matter what happens in the playoffs. It was hard enough for Danny to bring him back this year. Anyways, I am straying away from my main point which is:

How can a top 3 coach in the league not be named as a possibility for COY? He led the Celtics to the best turnaround in the history of the NBA the year we won the championship. He has coached us through the bad and the contending years and helped us become a true team. That to me is what makes a great coach, getting all your players to buy in to what you are saying. Those guys trust each other probably more than any team out there. They are more than teammates, they are a family. Doc can outcoach a lot of coaches in the league and he is probably the best playcaller out of timeouts as well. He can be a little weird with his rotations at times, but hey, we still love him and for the most part it works.

All I'm asking is to give a little respect where respect is due.

[Chris]

I think its between Thibs and Collins.  Coaches for established teams rarely get it.  Generally, the main qualification is which coach got his team to exceed expectations the most, and guys like Doc get overlooked because of that. 

[Donoghus]

I think its between Thibs and Collins.  Coaches for established teams rarely get it.  Generally, the main qualification is which coach got his team to exceed expectations the most, and guys like Doc get overlooked because of that. 

Nailed it. 

Thibs gets my vote.  What he's down with Chicago, especially on the defensive end, has way exceeded the expectations I had for that ballclub.

[Chris]

I think its between Thibs and Collins.  Coaches for established teams rarely get it.  Generally, the main qualification is which coach got his team to exceed expectations the most, and guys like Doc get overlooked because of that. 

Nailed it. 

Thibs gets my vote.  What he's down with Chicago, especially on the defensive end, has way exceeded the expectations I had for that ballclub.

I actually think what Collins did was more impressive.  He completely changed the culture of that team, and IMO turned the whole franchise around.  They were on the verge of blowing it up, but now I think they have a chance to be really good with a couple moves.

With the Bulls, I think they are pretty much doing what they should with that kind of talent.  They were underrated a bit, because Rose was hurt for part of last year and took a step back, but based on the roster, they are basically where they should be. 

[Josh88]

I would be shocked if anyone other than Thibs wins it. Doc is a solid coach but considering what Thibodeau has done in his first season as a head coach I don't see how giving the award to anyone else can be justified.

[Marcus13]

Thibs and Rose walking away with COY and MVP...they've really earned it

[kozlodoev]

I would be shocked if anyone other than Thibs wins it. Doc is a solid coach but considering what Thibodeau has done in his first season as a head coach I don't see how giving the award to anyone else can be justified.

Tibs will not get it this year, unless someone other than Rose gets the MVP.

[vinnie]

I think Nate Macmillian should get consideration for coach of the year and think he is far and away the best coach.

[zerophase]

it's be really hard for them to not give pop any consideration depending on where his team ends up record wise but right now.. thibs no contest. he is practically a lock. coy is always given to a coach whose team exceeded expectation... like the year doc didn't get it and byron scott did. i don't think anyone expect bulls to be number 1 right now.

[guava_wrench]

The way COY usually plays out is without regard to who are the best coaches in the league. It usually goes to someone on a team that either improved a lot or over-performed.

If the Bulls end up with the best record in the east, Thibs looks like a favorite. This would also likely be the only year he will be considered since expectations will be so high for next year that the best he could do in the regular season is meet them.

Popovich might be the most deserving since he clearly made a decision to coach differently and it has rejuvenated the team -- although improved health might deserve equal credit.

I really don't see anyone else in the running. Sure, Philly has stopped under-performing for the first time in the Brand era, but they are still barely over .500. They would really have to finish strong for me to consider him worthy. I can't help but wonder why he was so ineffective early in the season.

[KungPoweChicken]

It's Thibs' to lose at this point.