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Dwyane Wade Joins the MVP Race In The NBA Awards Watch

By Ben Nadeau

Dec 5, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) is pressured by Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 99-84. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) is pressured by Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 99-84. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Coach of the Year

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

Somehow, an interim head coach with no experience whatsoever at this level has the Golden State Warriors at 23-0 and playing better each and every game. After dropping 100 points on the Indiana Pacers over three quarters on Tuesday, the only question left for Luke Walton is whether or not they’ll still be undefeated the day after Christmas. Although the Warriors have some tricky games against the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and Utah Jazz on the schedule between now and then, no doubt the organization is already looking forward to that rematch against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in a few weeks time.

Walton’s Win of the Week: 12/5, Golden State Warriors 112, Toronto Raptors 109
Week Grade: A

2. Fred Hoiberg, Chicago Bulls (Last Week: 2, –)

Truth be told, I had actually intended on dropping Fred Hoiberg down to third after brutal losses against the Charlotte Hornets and Phoenix Suns last week, but they at least they took care of business against the Denver Nuggets, which is more than David Blatt can say this week. Since the Cleveland Cavaliers somehow managed to drop all three games, the rookie coach will keep this spot for now. Although it’s simply bad luck that Mirza Teletovic was able to contort his body like an escape artist before drilling Monday’s game-winning shot, not a single player on Chicago attempted to box him out, transfixed by ball-watching, and they paid the price. With a moderately tough schedule between now and the New Year, we’re anxious to see if Hoiberg and the aforementioned 97.1 Defensive Efficiency is for real or not.

Hoiberg’s Win of the Week: 12/2, Chicago Bulls 99, Denver Nuggets 90
Week Grade: C-

3. David Blatt, Cleveland Cavaliers (Last Week: 3, –)

Speaking of those trusty Cavaliers, David Blatt is leading the way in a crowded Eastern Conference. Doing so without Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert is no easy task, but with James seemingly taking days off at random, it can be difficult for a coach to game plan on a day-to-day basis. And, despite all his rockier rookie season moments in 2014-2015, Blatt recovered quite nicely and has the Cavaliers in first place and on cruise control.

Blatt’s Win of the Week: N/A
Week Grade: F

Honorable Mentions: Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks; Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics; 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
Week 6: Luke Walton, Golden State Warriors
Week 7: Luke Walton, Golden State Warriors

Next: Putting New Orleans at Ease