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NBA Awards Watch: Week 5

By Ben Nadeau

November 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton (left) talks to guard Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton (left) talks to guard Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Coach of the Year

1. Luke Walton, Golden State Warriors (Last Week: 2, Up 1)

Somehow, an interim head coach with no experience whatsoever at this level has the Golden State Warriors at 16-0 and playing better than they were at the end of last season. You know the drill.

Walton’s Win of the Week: 11/19, Golden State Warriors 124, Los Angeles Clippers 117
Week Grade: A

2. Fred Hoiberg, Chicago Bulls (Last Week: 3, Up 1)
Considering that the Chicago Bulls dropped their only game of the week in a tight one against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, we’re willing to call it almost-possibly-perfect week. Now, the Bulls are 8-4, keeping pace with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and have seen signs of life from the man formerly known as Nikola Mirotic.

They’ve got a tough game against the San Antonio Spurs this week, but, after that, the Bulls will have a chance to put together a nice run with a slate against the Nuggets, Hornets, Suns, Celtics, Clippers, Pelicans, 76ers, Grizzlies, Pistons, Knicks, and Nets before Christmas.

Sure, we’re getting ahead of ourselves, but if the Bulls can take care of business, they’ll be sitting pretty in the Eastern Conference come the New Year.

Holberg’s Win of the Week: 11/18, Chicago Bulls 103, Phoenix Suns 97
Week Grade: A

3. Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics (Last Week: 1, Down 2)

After crowning Brad Stevens just a week ago, a tremendous setback has dropped him down to number three on the list. The loss of Marcus Smart will hurt as the team lacks another perimeter defense with that much tenacity, which was often how the scrappy Celtics caused so much chaos and turnovers.

Of course, these turnovers led to their 25-point throttling of the Nets on Friday night, which not only improved their standing in the Eastern Conference, but dropped Brooklyn one more tiny percentage towards earning Boston the gem of the upcoming draft, Ben Simmons.

However, without Smart, the Celtics dropped the away game in New York on Sunday to even things out between the division rivals. Ultimately, we trust Stevens to come up with something crafty as the surprise Celtics are suddenly just 7-7.

Stevens’ Win of the Week: 11/20, Boston Celtics 120, Brooklyn Nets 95
Week Grade: B-

Honorable Mentions: Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks; David Blatt, Cleveland Cavaliers; Stan Van Gundy, Detroit Pistons; Frank Vogel, Indiana Pacers; Doc Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers; Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat, Jason Kidd, Milwaukee Bucks; Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs; Dwane Casey, Toronto Raptors; Quin Snyder, Utah Jazz

Week 1: Fred Hoiberg, Chicago Bulls
Week 2: Fred Hoiberg, Chicago Bulls
Week 3: Stan Van Gundy, Detroit Pistons
Week 4: Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
Week 5: Luke Walton, Golden State Warriors

Next: The Best Player in New Orleans