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The NBA is heading into the All-Star break, and teams are trying to end the first half of their season on a high note. The NBA Coach of the Year race is heating up as the top teams in the standings are constantly changing positions. The top four teams in the West have been the same for weeks, while the Eastern Conference has been quite turbulent.
Coach Erik Spoelstra deserves a shoutout for the award as the second-place Miami Heat managed to win games despite facing injuries.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks haven't been consistent in the new year and are losing games to subpar teams. They are currently third in the East. If they manage to gain momentum and grab the first seed, coach Mike Budenholzer should make an entrance in the race.
If the Dallas Mavericks or the Boston Celtics end up in the top four seeds of their conferences, coaches Jason Kidd and Ime Udoka could also be considered for the award.
Meanwhile, coach Quin Snyder is out of the top five of our rankings. The Utah Jazz went on several losing streaks in January and have dropped in the standings.
So without further ado, let's take a look at the top five of the NBA Coach of the Year power rankings by Sportskeeda.
#5 J.B. Bickerstaff
Previous week's NBA Coach of the Year Power Ranking - 5th (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 58; Games won - 35; Games lost - 23
Offensive Rating: 110.8 (18th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 106.5 (4th of 30)
Average Points Scored: 106.7 (23rd of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 102.5 (1st of 30)
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff's stock is climbing this season. He has led a team of young guns to fourth place in the Eastern Conference, ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets.
The Cleveland Cavaliers allow the fewest opponent points scored and are ranked fourth in the NBA in defensive rating. Darius Garland was selected to his first All-Star team, and Evan Mobley is on pace to win the Rookie of the Year award. The team has managed to succeed despite the absence of Collin Sexton.
#4 Steve Kerr
Previous week's NBA Coach of the Year Power Ranking - 2nd (↓2)
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 59; Games won - 42; Games lost - 17
Offensive Rating: 111.8 (12th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 104.8 (1st of 30)
Average Points Scored: 110.6 (12th of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 103.7 (4th of 30)
Steve Kerr has recently taken a lot of heat in the media due to his subpar coaching performances in the last few games. He kept Steph Curry in a game for defense while Gary Payton II sat on the bench. The games against the LA Clippers and the New York Knicks also saw massive defensive blunders.
The 56-year-old acknowledged that his team's top defensive rating is inflated because of the first half of the season and that they have been abysmal lately. He continues to assure fans that the Golden State Warriors will be fine regardless of these recent losses.
The Warriors still hold the second-best record in the NBA, and coach Kerr can climb the Coach of the Year ladder down the stretch of the season.
#3 Billy Donovan
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 - 59; Games won - 38; Games lost - 21
Offensive Rating: 114.1 (3rd of 30)
Defensive Rating: 111.8 (20th of 30)
Average Points Scored: 112.6 (7th of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 110.4 (18th of 30)
Coach Billy Donovan has re-entered our top five. After a volatile January, the Chicago Bulls have reclaimed first place in the Eastern Conference. They are below average defensively but have managed to win games with their incredible offense. Their defense will improve once Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball return. Moreover, they are still without the services of All-Star Zach LaVine, and the role players have stepped to the fore.
#2 Taylor Jenkins
Previous week's NBA Coach of the Year Power Ranking - 3rd (↑1)
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 60; Games won - 41; Games lost - 19
Offensive Rating: 113.6 (5th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 108.8 (7th of 30)
Average Points Scored: 113.8 (2nd of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 109.0 (14th of 30)
The Memphis Grizzlies are now considered one of the top teams in the league. They are third in the West with a 41-19 record and are one of the few teams that are top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating. They have won games without Ja Morant as well, and coach Taylor Jenkins could climb higher in the Coach of the Year race.
#1 Monty Williams
Previous week's NBA Coach of the Year Power Ranking - 1st (-)
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 4; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 58; Games won - 48; Games lost - 10
Offensive Rating: 114.1 (4th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 105.9 (3rd of 30)
Average Points Scored: 113.7 (4th of 30)
Average Points Conceded: 105.5 (6th of 30)
There seems to be no stopping the Phoenix Suns this season.
They have the best net rating in clutch time and are top three in practically every fourth-quarter category. They own the two-longest win streaks in the NBA this season and are currently on a seven-game run. They have just 10 losses in 58 games and are on pace to win 65-plus games. They are the only team in the league that is top five in both offensive and defensive rating.
