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NBA: Who Should Be Coach Of The Year?

By Eric Spyropoulos

Mike D'Antoni has unleashed James Harden as a point guard which has led to incredible success for the Houston Rockets. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mike D'Antoni has unleashed James Harden as a point guard which has led to incredible success for the Houston Rockets. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Mike D’Antoni

Referring to the chart from the first slide, the Rockets have exceeded expectations in a way that no one expected. In that respect, Mike D’Antoni blows away the rest of the field for Coach of the Year.

D’Antoni has brought what most people expected to the Rockets: an elite offense that is extremely fun to watch. The Rockets are currently second in the league offensively and are having one of the greatest offensive seasons in NBA history. But many people expected that.

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    • What people didn’t expect was that the Rockets would win nearly 70 percent of their games using that elite offense coupled with a league average defense (15th in the league). The Rockets posted two winning streaks of at least nine games this season, and posted the league’s best record from Dec. 1 – Jan. 15.

    In fact, the Rockets have the third-best record in the entire league. Simply put, Mike D’Antoni has had the Rockets running like a well-oiled machine this season as they continue to exceed expectations.

    Another big reason D’Antoni should be rewarded this season is his ability to get James Harden (and other role players) to buy in to his system and culture.

    One of the first moves D’Antoni made when he was installed as head coach was move Harden to point guard, a move that, along with the right pieces alongside him, has produced one of, if not the best offensive season ever.

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    The Rockets are winning (a lot more than people expected), and their players have happily bought in to D’Antoni’s system. Therefore it’s time D’Antoni was rewarded with his second NBA Coach of the Year award.