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NBA Final Awards Ballot: Who gets to bring home the hardware?

By Corey Rausch

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 11: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts following a call during the second quarter of their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on May 11, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 11: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts following a call during the second quarter of their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on May 11, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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NBA (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NBA (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

NBA Coach of the Year – Tom Thibodeau

Honorable Mentions: Monty Williams, Quin Snyder

Quarter-Pole Choice: Tom Thibodeau

Halfway Point Choice: Quin Snyder

Three-Quarter Pole Choice: Monty Williams

This race for the top two was so close it was essentially a coinflip. Ultimately, the choice is Tom Thibodeau because of how far he exceeded the expectations for the New York Knicks. A season ago, with much the same roster, the Knicks won 31.8 percent of their games while finishing in the bottom eight of 3-point attempts (29th), 3-point percentage (27th) and defensive rating (23rd). One season later, RJ Barrett looks like the number three overall pick, Julius Randle made the All-NBA leap and the Knicks are hosting a playoff series.

The Knicks finished fourth in defensive rating and are one of the best shooting teams in the league. Thibodeau has transformed the Knicks into one of the most fun stories in the league without adding a star. Turning around one of the more prolific (if not on the court) franchises in league history gets this award.

In similarly impressive fashion, Monty Williams took the Phoenix Suns from a young team with a bright future to within a game of the best record in the league. It was clear the leap was coming in the bubble but riding the momentum (and the trade for Chris Paul) to these heights is still impressive. Quin Snyder is the other finalist as the Utah Jazz have been the best team in the regular season since early in the year and never slowed down. They are elite on both ends of the floor and he completely revamped their offense from a season ago.