NBA Awards Watch: Week 2
By Ben Nadeau
Coach of the Year
1. Fred Hoiberg, Chicago Bulls (Last Week: 1, –)
After defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in his NBA head-coaching debut game, there’s really no reason to drop Fred Hoiberg out of the top spot for the time being. The Bulls are 4-1, having only fallen to those surprising Detroit Pistons in overtime.
Although his move to put Nikola Mirotic in the starting lineup was questioned at the time, it’s been incredible effective thus far for Hoiberg and the Bulls. If he can get Derrick Rose clicking once more and Joakim Noah thriving as the sixth man, they’ll be a tough out no matter what come playoff time.
They’ll face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday before finishing their week against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers, so there’s a great chance to add some positives wins to the total. Hoiberg and the Bulls don’t play the Cavaliers until January, so if they can keep pace with their Central Division rivals, Hoiberg will have cemented himself firmly in the Coach of the Year conversation.
Holberg’s Win of the Week: 10/27, Chicago Bulls 97, Cleveland Cavaliers 95
Week Grade: A
2. Stan Van Gundy, Detroit Pistons
Yes! Stan Van Gundy has his young Pistons team playing like Eastern Conference dark horses through the first small chunk of the season, as they’ve gone an impressive 3-1. With Reggie Jackson picking up where he left off following a trade deadline move from the Thunder last winter and Andre Drummond looking like an All-Star, Van Gundy belongs in the conversation for now.
If they can tread water until Brandon Jennings returns from his Achilles injury, the Pistons will be in a great position to surprise the league and make a deep playoff run this spring.
Van Gundy’s Win of the Week: 10/30, Detroit Pistons 98, Chicago Bulls 94, OT
Week Grade: A
3. Quin Snyder, Utah Jazz (Last Week 3, –)
We touched upon the Jazz’s impressive start up above alongside Gobert’s DPotY section, but Snyder has already seen some pretty impressive results from his young Western Conference squad. Favors and Gobert have formed one of the league’s most terrifying front courts and it’s just a matter of time before Gordon Hayward kicks it into a higher gear.
Snyder will need more from Trey Burke (just 10 assists through three games), but Rodney Hood and Alec Burks will help out with some of the offensive load as the Jazz continue to climb the Western Conference ranks. However, it’d be much too early to crown their success as they’ve only beaten the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers through the first handful of games.
As we’ve said before, if Snyder can sneak the Jazz into the playoffs, this award is as good as his, even if coaches like Van Gundy and Hoiberg receive higher seeds.
Snyder’s Win of the Week: 10/31, Utah Jazz 97, Indiana Pacers 76
Week Grade: B+
Bounced Out: Jason Kidd, Milwaukee Bucks (1-3)
Honorable Mentions: Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks; Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics; David Blatt, Cleveland Cavaliers; Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors; Frank Vogel, Indiana Pacers; Doc Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers; Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat, Jason Kidd, Milwaukee Bucks; Alvin Gentry, New Orleans Pelicans; Billy Donovan, Oklahoma City Thunder; Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs; Dwane Casey, Toronto Raptors
Week 1: Fred Hoiberg, Chicago Bulls
Week 2: Fred Hoiberg, Chicago Bulls
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