Milwaukee Bucks: Who is in consideration for 2018-19 NBA awards?
Coach of the Year
In contention: Mike Budenholzer
The Milwaukee Bucks benefited in their first season under Jason Kidd, leaping up into the playoffs behind an aggressive defense that took the league by storm. Yet that was as far as Kidd could take them, and towards the end of his Milwaukee tenure it became clear he was holding the team back.
Replacing Kidd seemed sure to benefit the team, but no one saw this result coming. Former Gregg Popovich disciple and Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer chose the Bucks over the Toronto Raptors and made an instant impact.
Offensively, Budenholzer formed a lineup to spread the court around Giannis Antetokounmpo, giving his superstar all the space he needed inside to become the best interior force in the league. On the perimeter, Brook Lopez and Malcolm Brogdon had career years shooting the ball. Defensively, he drew up a scheme to seal off the paint at all costs, trusting above-average defenders to stand up on the perimeter and allow Antetokounmpo the freedom to play free safety.
The result was a leap from fringe playoff team to dominant contender, with the best record in the league and the underlying statistics to back it up. This team enters the postseason with a realistic expectation not only to win a series, but to win the Eastern Conference and give the Golden State Warriors a tough series in the Finals.
What Bud has accomplished is truly special, but to win the award he will have to emerge from a crowded field. Doc Rivers has had his roster churned over to acquire long-term assets and cap space, only to propel a collection of rookies and free agents firmly into the playoff field. Nate McMillan lost his best player and still has the Pacers well above .500.
Kenny Atkinson and Steve Clifford broke playoff droughts with teams everyone counted out. Nick Nurse took over a contender and saw them improve. Michael Malone weathered injuries to keep the Denver Nuggets near the top of the Western Conference. Dave Joerger and Lloyd Pierce have extremely young teams making progress ahead of schedule. And of course, Gregg Popovich continues to defy everything anyone thought they knew about team success in basketball.
Yet even with so many impressive candidates earning their contracts and then some this season, Budenholzer has done the most difficult task in all of basketball: forging a contender. He should win this award.
Picks: Mike Budenholzer (1st), Doc Rivers (2nd), Dave Joerger (3rd)