Hoops Habit's NBA Awards Watch: Week 1

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Oct 27, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg talks with guard Jimmy Butler (21) and guard Derrick Rose (1) during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center. Chicago won 97-95. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Coach of the Year

1. Fred Hoiberg, Chicago Bulls
Fred Hoiberg made the jump to the NBA this spring, much to the dismay of many Iowa State Cyclones fans, and while it would be unfair to expect the world of him in Year 1, the anxious fans in Chicago can’t help it.

For starters, Hoiberg should be a stark contrast to Tom Thibodeau and will be an unlikely candidate to run his deep squad into the ground, which should be an immediately endearing trait for The Mayor. Admittedly, this prediction will depend on Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol’s health, Jimmy Butler’s next step, and, somehow, the ability of Doug McDermott.

It’s just one game, but Holberg successfully took down the Cleveland Cavaliers in his first ever NBA appearance. Among the most noticeable decisions, Hoiberg used Nikola Mitotic as the starting power forward and brought former DPOY Joakim Noah off the bench. It seemed questionable at the time, but worked out perfectly for the rookie head coach.

If the pieces fall into place in Chicago, this may finally be the year that they get past their LeBron-sized obstacle.

Holberg’s Win of the Week: Chicago Bulls 97, Cleveland Cavaliers 95
Week Grade: A

2. Jason Kidd, Milwaukee Bucks
There are generally two camps of thinking when it comes to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2015-16; the first is that these guys are still too young to truly compete, the second is that Coach Jason Kidd will have these kids playing like stars and they’ll all transcend to greatness together.

It seems unlikely that the Bucks, even if Jabari Parker returns soon and at full health, can pass Cleveland, Chicago, Washington, Toronto, or Atlanta this year, which means they’ll not only be fighting it out with Boston and Charlotte, but also improved sides in Indiana, Orlando, and Miami.

However, if Kidd can turn water into wine with Michael Carter-Williams and Giannis Antetokounmpo takes that next step everybody’s been talking about all summer, they’ll have a terrifying starting five, and the Bucks coach will find himself in the conversation no matter what.

3. Quin Snyder, Utah Jazz
Yes, I’m all-in on the Utah Jazz this season, but if they’re going to reach these high hopes and individual achievement levels, they’re going to need the sturdy coaching and direction that Snyder provided last season.

Snyder quickly turned a floundering Western Conference team into a defensive powerhouse, so if he can get his offense to follow suit, we could be watching the rise of the next great franchise. If Snyder is able to make Trey Burke seems like a playoff caliber point guard, then we might as well give him this award for the next decade.

Honorable Mentions: Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks; Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics; Steve Clifford, Charlotte Hornets; David Blatt, Cleveland Cavaliers; Stan Van Gundy, Detroit Pistons; Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors; Frank Vogel, Indiana Pacers; Doc Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers; Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat, Alvin Gentry, New Orleans Pelicans; Billy Donovan, Oklahoma City Thunder; Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs.

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