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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 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Frank Vogel is introduced as the new head coach as he talks with media during a press conference at Amway Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Frank Vogel

The Orlando Magic made some head-scratching moves this summer, but the least questionable decision they made was hiring Frank Vogel as head coach. If anyone can sort through an ultra-crowed frontcourt, assemble an improved defense and make Jeff Green useful again, it’ll be him.

This is a bit of a dark horse candidate, since Vogel never won Coach of the Year with the Indiana Pacers and will have far less talent to work with in Orlando. But if this young Magic team emerges from the rubble at the bottom of the East and becomes a playoff team, perhaps he’ll get some votes in his first season on the job.

It certainly won’t be easy, however. Vogel has established himself as one of the best defensive coaches in the NBA, but what would’ve been his best wing defender — Victor Oladipo — was traded away in the Serge Ibaka deal.

Now Vogel must figure out a workable rotation for Ibaka, Nikola Vucevic, Bismack Biyombo, Aaron Gordon and Jeff Green in the frontcourt. Elfrid Payton may take another scary step forward on the defensive end under Vogel’s watch, but the Magic must do the same for their head coach to be in the running for this award.