'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
We are now eight weeks into the 2021-22 NBA season, and the standings have started to take shape. The title-contending teams have started to take their place at the top of the table, while injury-plagued rosters are racking up losses. The LA Lakers seem to be the exception, though, as they keep underperforming despite having a star-studded team with championship aspirations.
The Washington Wizards have slowed down, and so have the Miami Heat. Erik Spoelstra is off our top five NBA Coach of the Year Power Rankings, as the Heat have lost a bunch of games lately. They have fallen dangerously close to .500, with a 15-11 record. They have lost four of their last six games, including defeats to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets keep losing to strong teams. Even the head coach Steve Nash doesn't believe they are comparable to other title-contending teams just yet. They lost to the Chicago Bulls for the second time this season, and also faced defeat against the bottom-table Houston Rockets in Kevin Durant's absence.
Coaches Steve Nash, Erik Spoelstra, Wes Unseld Jr. and Mike Budenholzer all have very strong cases to enter the top 5 of the NBA Coach of the Year Power Rankings. The top four coaches in this list have remained consistent for the past few weeks.
So without further ado, let's have a look at the order of our top five this week:
#5 Mike Budenholzer
Previous week's NBA Coach of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 27; Games won - 17; Games lost - 10
Offensive Rating: 111.0 (6th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 107.1 (8th of 30)
Average Points Scored: 110.7 (8th of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 106.9 (15th of 30).
The Milwaukee Bucks have gotten back on track, and are looking like the reigning champions again. Whenever their big 3 of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday have been healthy, the Bucks have been almost unbeatable. Hence, coach Mike Budenholzer has made an appearance in our top 5 NBA Coach of the Year power rankings, but only time will tell if he stays there till the end of the season.
The Bucks are third in the Eastern Conference with a 17-10 record. and Antetokounmpo is now in the top 3 of the NBA MVP discussion. The Milwaukee Bucks are also top ten in both offensive (sixth) and defensive (eighth) ratings. Nevertheless, they aren't the Eastern Conference favorites, as the Heat, Nets and Bulls are all making headlines.
#4 Billy Donovan
Previous week's NBA Coach of the Year Power Ranking - 4th (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 26; Games won - 17; Games lost - 9
Offensive Rating: 110.4 (9th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 106.7 (6th of 30)
Average Points Scored: 108.9 (11th of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 105.2 (8th of 30).
The Chicago Bulls are making noise in the East, and their dominance is only getting more apparent as the season has progressed.
It is now clear they weren't on a fluky star,t and that this team is going to cause trouble to opponents in the playoffs. They are top ten in both offensive (ninth) and defensive (sixth) ratings. That hasn't changed over the course of the season, and, in fact, has only gotten better.
Coach Billy Donovan has implemented a system of unselfish passing and ball movement. The offense has flown fluidly between Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.
They have two players in the NBA MVP discussion - LaVine and DeRozan - one player in the NBA DPOY and NBA 6MOTY conversation - Alex Caruso.
#3 Quin Snyder
Previous week's NBA Coach of the Year Power Ranking - 3rd (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 3; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 25; Games won - 18; Games lost - 7
Offensive Rating: 117.3 (1st of 30)
Defensive Rating: 106.5 (5th of 30)
Average Points Scored: 115.0 (2nd of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 104.4 (3rd of 30).
NBA championship narratives have now started around the Utah Jazz. They are on a six-game winning streak, and many analysts believe they might finally get over the playoff hump this season.
They have routinely come up short in the postseason. But looking at their regular-season dominance this year, it is difficult not to make a case for their title credentials.
They have improved from tenth in the NBA defensive rating last week to fifth this week, while maintaining their league-best offense. They are also one of just a handful of teams in the NBA who are top five in both offensive and defensive ratings.
Coach Quin Snyder has been excellent in clutch situations lately. Teams aren't able to adjust against the Jazz as easily as they did in the past. Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert is back to being in the NBA DPOY conversation.
#2 Monty Williams
Previous week's NBA Coach of the Year Power Ranking - 2nd (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 25; Games won - 21; Games lost - 4
Offensive Rating: 111.0 (5th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 104.1 (2nd of 30)
Average Points Scored: 111.4 (6th of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 104.4 (4th of 30).
The Phoenix Suns are already tied for the NBA's best record, but somehow keep improving. They have gone from eighth in the NBA in offensive rating last week to fifth this week, and have also reduced the average number of points conceded. They are second in defensive rating, and have been dominant at that end of the floor since the second week of the season.
Coach Monty Williams has a strong case to win the NBA Coach of the Year award. The Suns are one of just six teams in NBA history to go 16-0 in a calendar month. Their 18-game win streak is the longest in franchise history, beating the one under Steve Nash.
#1 Steve Kerr
Previous week's NBA Coach of the Year Power Ranking - 1st (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 25; Games won - 21; Games lost - 4
Offensive Rating: 113.1 (4th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 100.2 (1st of 30)
Average Points Scored: 113.2 (3rd of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 100.3 (1st of 30).
The Golden State Warriors have the NBA MVP favorite in Stephen Curry and the NBA DPOY favorite in Draymond Green.
Jordan Poole is making the Most Improved Player buzz, while coach Steve Kerr might win his second NBA Coach of the Year trophy. The Warriors are the NBA's best defense and fourth-best offense. They don't even have Klay Thompson or James Wiseman back from injury yet, which is impressive, to say the least.
Moreover, they aren't just the best in the NBA this season; they've been historically great. The difference between first-ranked Warriors and second-ranked Suns is larger than the difference between the Suns and 18th-ranked Dallas Mavericks.
The Golden State Warriors are clicking at both ends of the floor. So many analysts have already proclaimed that Curry and co. will win the 2022 NBA championship.
Poll : Will Steve Kerr win his 2nd NBA Coach of the Year award?
Yes
No
65 votes
