Hoops Habit
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NBA predictions 2020-21: Our individual award winners and Finals picks

By Craig Cochran

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after receiving his 2020 NBA championship ring during a ceremony before the opening night game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after receiving his 2020 NBA championship ring during a ceremony before the opening night game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Harry How/Getty Images) /
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NBA (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
NBA (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

Coach of the Year

Hoops Habit pick: Rick Carlisle, Dallas Mavericks

My fellow Hoops Habit-ers were pretty indecisive in this category, with multiple coaches receiving one or two selections. Rick Carlisle, however, won the polling by bringing in one-third of the total votes. Coach of the Year is always a challenging award to predict because it is an even more difficult award for voters to decide. There are always multiple candidates at season’s end with a strong case to walk away with the trophy, so typically, it is up to the preference of those casting the ballots.

But this offseason, with the improvements the Dallas Mavericks appear to have made, Rick Carlisle has garnered a lot of attention. Carlisle is undoubtedly a great coach – as his tenure in Dallas surely illuminates – but let’s not act like we don’t know the specifics behind why Carlisle is drumming up a buzz for Coach of the Year considerations. There is a simple reason why the long-time Mavs coach finds himself in the driver’s seat amongst my colleagues and fellow media members alike.

Related Story. Mavericks: Plan B free agents with Giannis signed. light

The answer consists of two words: Luka Doncic.

Because of Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks will be more likely than not to find themselves within the top-five in Western Conference standings every season from here on out until Doncic slows down. That is how good Luka is. Fortunately, having that great of a player also bodes well for everyone within the organization, coaches especially (see: Mike Brown’s 2009 Coach of the Year honors).

If Dallas makes even a slight leap from where they were last season – as we all expect them to do following their promising off-season – Carlisle could easily walk away with the award for the second time in his understated yet impressive career.

My pick: Steve Nash, Brooklyn Nets

Look no further than my initial thoughts on the Steve Nash hiring to understand why I think the two-time MVP will win Coach of the Year in his first season as an NBA head coach.

Sleeper: Terry Stotts, Portland Trail Blazers

At worst, the Portland Trail Blazers are going to be a blast to watch. At best, Portland could earn a top-three seed in the Western Conference playoffs. With Damian Lillard coming off of an absolutely bonkers postseason run and the Trail Blazers front office putting their chips on the table in the offseason by acquiring Robert Covington, Portland looks like a semi-legitimate threat in the West.

Their defense will be pretty pitiful, but if Portland can get off to a hot start and Damian Lillard continues his defender demolition derby from last season, expect Stotts’ name to jolt to the forefront of the Coach of the Year conversation.