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2017-18 NBA Awards: HoopsHabit roundtable predictions

By Gerald Bourguet

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 11: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on February 11, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 11: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on February 11, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /
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Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images /

Coach of the Year

Bourguet pick: Tom Thibodeau
HoopsHabit pick: Tom Thibodeau

As Jimmy Butler reunites with his old Chicago Bulls coach and joins the Minnesota Timberwolves, the people seem to agree: Tom Thibodeau is one of the early frontrunners for the 2017-18 Coach of the Year Award.

After winning only 31 games and finishing 13th in the conference standings last year, it’s safe to say Thibs’ first season at the helm didn’t go according to plan. But with Butler joining Andrew Wiggins on the wing, plus another year of development for Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, plus the arrivals of Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson and Jamal Crawford, the Wolves could conceivably win 50 games and chase a top-four seed in the West.

Thibs earned eight of our staff’s 26 votes, which doubled the next-closest candidate, Steve Kerr (four). The problem with Kerr’s candidacy is over the last three years, his Golden State Warriors have averaged 70 wins. With Kevin Durant, they simply have more talent than anyone, and even if Kerr instituted the culture and winning environment for the Dubs, at this point, this well-oiled machine could probably drive itself no matter who was at the wheel.

Related Story: Top 10 candidates for 2017-18 Coach of the Year Award

The Boston Celtics are one team looking to make some noise in the East, which is why Brad Stevens finishes third with three votes. Having already established himself as one of the league’s most brilliant young minds, a finish at the top of the East — this time with an almost entirely new roster — would certainly put him in the running for COY.

Gregg Popovich is always an option in this category and earned two votes. Some are high on a breakout season for the Milwaukee Bucks, with Jason Kidd receiving two votes. The same could be said of the Denver Nuggets, which is probably why Michael Malone got two votes too. Scott Brooks rounds out the list of coaches tied for fourth place with two votes of his own.

Billy Donovan, Steve Clifford and Erik Spoelstra each received one vote, but surprisingly, no one voted for the reigning Coach of the Year, Mike D’Antoni.