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NBA: Top 10 Candidates For Coach Of The Year Award In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

April 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich hugs Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr before the game at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Spurs 112-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich hugs Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr before the game at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Spurs 112-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan (left) instructs guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Billy Donovan

This may be a long shot with Kevin Durant gone, but if the Oklahoma City Thunder somehow win 50+ games after losing their best player, don’t rule anything out.

The Russell Westbrook Show is going to be must-watch television, but this may be an even bigger test for head coach Billy Donovan. Without KD to spread the floor, the Thunder are going to have serious spacing issues, none of which will be resolved by Victor Oladipo or Andre Roberson.

Promising youngster Cameron Payne is hurt, the Thunder have two starting-caliber bigs in Steven Adams and Enes Kanter and, again, Kevin Durant is gone.

Will Donovan be able to harness an unleashed Russell Westbrook? Can the Thunder re-establish themselves as a Western powerhouse without KD? If they’re able to do so, Donovan’s status as an elite NBA head coach will no longer be in doubt.