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2023 NBA Awards: 1 dark horse candidate to win each honor

By Jacob Ellerbee

Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns and 76ers C Joel Embiid (Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports)
Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns and 76ers C Joel Embiid (Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports) /
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New Orleans Pelicans
Willie Green, New Orleans Pelicans (Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports) /

NBA Awards: Willie Green secures Coach of the Year in his second season.

LA Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue is often cited as a popular pick to be named NBA Coach of the Year next season, as is the 2021-22 runner-up, Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins. However, one name to keep an eye on next season is New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green.

The longtime NBA player turned head coach was 23-36 (.390) before the All-Star break last season. Following the All-Star break, they took a positive turn, going 13-10 (.565). Part of that turnaround was the acquisition of guard CJ McCollum near the trade deadline. But, it was Green and his coaching staff that was able to get McCollum integrated into the team’s offense and make a spectacular push to make the Play-In last season.

Green and his Pelicans showed great improvement and drive at the end of the season, defeating both the San Antonio Spurs and the LA Clippers to advance to the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs as the eighth seed. Fast forward to the upcoming season, Green will have the opportunity to welcome Zion Williamson back to the team and add him to a group of players that were already clicking and improving by the game.

A full season of McCollum, a healthy Williamson, plus Brandon Ingram, and Jonas Valanciunas will be a ton of fun to watch. If he can get these guys playing well together and move up the standings in a crowded Western Conference, he’ll have a good chance to swoop in and win Coach of the Year.