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Players, whether perennial superstars or rookies, get their share of attention when it comes to their talent and skill being appreciated. What about the head coach and coaching staff?
The hard work they put in is equally vital to the team’s success and, more often than not, they play a role in player’s development into a superstar.
Here’s a list of the Top five head coaches who are relatively new to the post and are looking forward to making a mark on the NBA:
Jason Kidd, Brooklyn Nets
A future Hall of Famer joined and took up the job of head coach with the Nets just nine days after he announced his retirement as a player from the league. Reports stated that he had filed for a minority stake in the team which was pending NBA approval.
There was a deeper connection that Kidd shared with the Nets organization that prompted him to take up this job so early into his retirement. He and Nets had dream seasons in 2002 and 2003, when they made it to the finals, losing both times, after he had arrived to New Jersey just a year earlier from the Phoenix Suns.
What’s his style of coaching? Well, everybody is looking forward to that being answered this season with the Nets star studded roster. Though his coaching skills are yet to be discovered, in his final years as a veteran, he was considered a great motivator and supporter to the youngsters in the team.
He would definitely be the most watched head coach this season.
Jacque Vaughn, Orlando Magic
Jacque Vaughn of Orlando Magic
Replacing Stan van Gundy wouldn’t be an easy job considering what he had done with team in his tenure of five years, but Vaughn took up the challenge that was put in front of him. He was offered the job of head coach for the Magic, after being the assistant coach with the Spurs for two seasons, as they headed into rebuilding mode following Howard’s departure from the team.
It was not a pleasant year for the Magic fans, but then again, they hadn’t expected much from a team that was undergoing rebuilding process. They ended the season at the bottom of the league. Not blaming Vaughn for the result, Magic decided to stick with the head coach.
He has great skill and talent at his disposal in the roster. The emergence of Nikola Vucevic as a rebounding presence took place under his coaching, giving him the minutes he needs to evolve. Growing with this roster of youngsters would also help him evolve, mature and grow as a head coach.
NBA teams don’t just appoint anybody has their head coach. This man has the potential to make a mark in the league and he would, but with the roster he has, let’s not expect anything but steady and strong improvement by the Magic.
Tyrone Corbin, Utah Jazz
Tyrone Corbin of Utah Jazz
On Jerry Sloan’s retirement, he was decided by the front office of the Jazz most suited to take the responsibilities of head coach after being an assistant to Sloan for seven years. Just like any new head coach, he took over the mantle when the Jazz were in rough times, mid-way through the lockout shortened season, and undergoing restructuring following All-Star point guard Deron Williams trade.
With Millsap and Al Jefferson both being traded to the Hawks and Bobcats, respectively, Corbin would have to use his intellect from his years under Sloan and rise to the challenge to bring glory days back to Utah.
Expecting to make a playoff position would be too much for the team, then again, Corbin can instill motivate the team with these doubts in the league to step up their game. He, on the other hand, would look at this season as an opportunity to prove himself as a head coach after being under the wings of Sloan for seven years.
Brian Shaw, Denver Nuggets
Brian Shaw of Denver Nuggets
A three-time champion with the Lakers as a player and a two time champion with the Lakers as an assistant coach, Shaw has been preached about the Phil Jackson’s triangle offense during his playing years and has been preaching it to others ever since.
On Phil Jackson’s retirement, he was considered by the Lakers front office for the post but lost the position to Mike Brown. Shaw, then, reached an agreement with the Pacers to be an assistant coach under Frank Vogel. The respect for him as an assistant coach is shared by head coaches across the league.
He would be keen and looking forward to making his mark in the league as a head coach this season with Denver Nuggets, replacing Coach of the Year George Karl. He was appointed head coach of the Nuggets on June 25th, 2013 and with the respect he carries around as a coach, he would most certainly be carrying a load of expectations from Nuggets’ fans.
Mark Jackson, Golden State Warriors
Mark Jackson of Golden State Warriors
Player turned analyst for ESPN, Jackson has been head coach of the Warriors for two seasons now. Although he loses out on coaching insight and experience, his success with the team in the previous season puts him at the top of the list as a coach who has tremendous potential to make his team even better than they were this past season.
Warriors suffered in his first season, missing the playoffs in the lockout shortened season due to various injuries. He showed his coaching skill and potential by finishing 2nd in the Pacific division and entering the Playoffs as the 6th seed.
His impact as a coach has been phenomenal in the evolving of his backcourt starting duo, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. This season, he not just impacted the games of his starting back court duo, but also of three rookies who made an impression throughout the league under his guidance and coaching – Festus Ezeli , Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green.
Why he stands at the top?
Ability to turn a franchise around in a year without any coaching experience (not even as a assistant coach) and the potential to do even better this season, as a skilled and very talented Andre Iguodala gets added to his roster.
