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We are only in the second week of the 2021-22 NBA season but the chatter around the end-of-the-season NBA awards has already begun.
Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are gaining MVP traction because of their spectacular performances. Meanwhile, the LA Lakers, Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks sit atop the team's power rankings, according to most publications.
Although the NBA Coach of the Year award isn't the most glamorous, it is certainly one of the toughest to earn. That's because the superstars get most of the credit for the team's wins while coaches get scrutinized for the losses. Rumors suggested that a major reason why coach Monty Williams didn't win the NBA Coach of the Year award last season is because the Phoenix Suns were dubbed a 'Chris Paul-led offense' instead of a Monty Williams one.
Most teams have played five to six games so far and we take a look at the latest NBA Coach of the Year power rankings. These are the NBA team's first impressions and these power rankings are bound to change as the season progresses. Coaches like Monty Williams, Frank Vogel and Steve Nash might make an appearance later in the year. So without further ado, let's get to it.
#5 Billy Donovan
Previous week’s NBA Coach of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 5; Games won - 4; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 5; Games won - 4; Games lost - 1
Offensive Rating: 108.2 (14th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 100.2 (4th of 30)
Average Points Scored: 106.6 (18th of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 98.8 (4th of 30)
Billy Donovan is known for his championship runs at the collegiate level but hasn't found success in the NBA yet. He won back-to-back NCAA titles with the Florida Gators, but his time in the pros has been anything but filled with champagne showers. He coached the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2015 to 2020 and has been with the Chicago Bulls since. This season, coach Donovan has the elite talent to succeed and he has shown the league that the Bulls are a threat in the East.
The Chicago Bulls started 4-0 for the first time since 1996-97 when Michael Jordan laced up at United Center. Zach LaVine is averaging MVP-caliber numbers and there is no doubt that he will earn his second All-Star selection this season. There was a lot of discussion about whether the core of LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball and Nikola Vucevic can play together. But coach Billy Donovan has deployed a system of sharing the ball and the players are displaying great chemistry together.
#4 Erik Spoelstra
Previous week’s NBA Coach of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 5; Games won - 4; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 5; Games won - 4; Games lost - 1
Offensive Rating: 108.9 (12th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 94.0 (1st of 30)
Average Points Scored: 111.0 (12th of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 95.8 (1st of 30)
Head coach Erik Spoelstra was named the NBA's best head coach in the 2021 NBA GM Survey. He also received the third-highest votes when asked "which coach makes the best in-game adjustments" and the fifth-highest votes for best offensive schemes and best defensive schemes.
It's no surprise that Erik Spoelstra is one of the best coaches the NBA has seen. A two-time NBA champion, he is now back leading the Heat to a potential title run.
The Miami Heat have done an incredible job in integrating Kyle Lowry in their system. Bam Adebayo is taking an offensive leap in his game whereas the addition of PJ Tucker has been excellent as well. The Miami Heat are not only the best defensive team in the league today but one of the best in NBA history. They have conceded the least points in the league so far and have kept all five of their opponents under 100 points, including the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks.
#3 Tom Thibodeau
Previous week’s NBA Coach of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 5; Games won - 4; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 5; Games won - 4; Games lost - 1
Offensive Rating: 112.9 (4th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 105.7 (15th of 30)
Average Points Scored: 115.8 (2nd of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 108.4 (17th of 30)
The New York Knicks were one of the best defensive teams in the NBA last season, but this year, it's their offense that's clicking. They are top 5 in both offensive rating and points scored. The addition of Kemba Walker has been incredible for the team so far and the players are playing like a cohesive unit.
Tom Thibodeau won the NBA Coach of the Year award last season for the second time in this career. He won the first time in 2011 when he led a 22-year-old Derrick Rose to an MVP season with the Chicago Bulls.
Madison Square Garden has been buzzing ever since coach Thibodeau took the New York Knicks job. He has revitalized one of the biggest fanbases in the NBA and his coaching style has done wonders for this franchise. The New York Knicks earned home-court advantage last season as the Eastern Conference 4th seed. This season they are sitting atop the conference standings through the first five games.
#2 Steve Kerr
Previous week’s NBA Coach of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 5; Games won - 4; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 5; Games won - 4; Games lost - 1
Offensive Rating: 108.2 (13th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 103.2 (8th of 30)
Average Points Scored: 112.4 (9th of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 107.2 (15th of 30)
Steve Kerr is one of the best things that happened to the Golden State Warriors franchise. He joined the team in 2014 and immediately led them to five finals appearances, three titles, three 60+ win seasons and an NBA record 73-9 season. He had the foresight to take the ball out of Stephen Curry's hands and make him an off-the-ball assassin. Kerr arguably runs the NBA's best three-point offense and his strategies about sharing the ball and space the floor are revolutionary.
The Golden State Warriors had a 4-0 start to their season and have now entered an eight-game homestand. Steve Kerr is sticking to his offense and the ball movement is artistic to watch.
The Warriors are averaging nearly 30 assists a game in 41 made baskets and multiple players on the roster are having a great year. Steve Kerr won the NBA Coach of the Year award in 2016 for leading the team to a 73-9 record and coaching Curry to a unanimous MVP campaign.
#1 Quin Snyder
Previous week’s NBA Coach of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 4; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 4; Games won - 4; Games lost - 0
Offensive Rating: 114.8 (1st of 30)
Defensive Rating: 96.6 (2nd of 30)
Average Points Scored: 115.2 (4th of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 97.0 (2nd of 30)
Quin Snyder was voted the best offensive coach in the NBA in the 2021 NBA GM Survey and it is evident in the first four games so far. The Utah Jazz are the only team left in the NBA with an unbeaten record and have the NBA's best offensive rating at 114.8. Quin Snyder was a contender for NBA Coach of the Year last season and he is expected to be a finalist this season as well.
Quin Snyder was criticized for not making adjustments against the small ball lineup of the LA Clippers in last season's playoffs. However, he is now showing that he can adjust and face any lineup. Coach Snyder has changed the rotations and defensive schemes around Rudy Gobert Only time will tell whether they reclaim the top seed in the Western Conference.
