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There are a multitude of factors involved in a winning NBA team, such as the presence of a superstar, supporting stars, role players and so on. Out of all these factors, though, the head coach may just be the biggest of them all. Even the most gifted teams in the NBA are bound to fail without a great head coach to guide the franchise in the right direction.
On that note, let us have a look at the Top 10 head coaches in the NBA right now.
Top 10 head coaches in the NBA right now
For this list, we have largely considered the achievements of various head coaches in the NBA in recent times and the quality and mettle they have shown in the clutchest of situations. We have also given credence to their performances during the 2019-20 NBA season more than any other season.
Without further ado, let's get started.
#10 Mike Budenholzer (Milwaukee Bucks)
Mike Budenholzer had a simple but very effective plan for the Milwaukee Bucks. Put the ball in Giannis Antetokounmpo's hands, and surround him with shooters.
Under Budennholzer, the Bucks, who had the best record in the NBA during the last regular season, have been one of the best in the league for a few years now.
The only reason why Budenholzer comes in at number ten in our list of the top 10 head coaches in the NBA right now is due to his lack of success in the postseason. However, he could still turn it around for the franchise in the near future.
#9 Billy Donovan (Chicago Bulls)
The OKC Thunder received a chance at a fresh start after the departure of Russell Westbrook, and under the leadership of Billy Donovan, the team has prospered.
Donovan led the franchise to an impressive finish to the regular season. The Thunder managed to secure the fifth seed in a stacked Western Conference. Even with a largely young roster and with just one superstar, Billy Donovan proved his worth in the NBA by going seven games against the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
With Billy Donovan joining the Chicago Bulls now, it will be interesting to see how the head coach revives the storied franchise next season.
#8 Doc Rivers (Philadelphia 76ers)
Doc Rivers has been one of the best coaches in the NBA for quite a while. His strategic prowess, ability to analyze and counter plays, and overall feel for the game are outstanding attributes that very few head coaches in the NBA can match.
The only reason he is so far down in our list is because of his disappointing run with the LA Clippers last season, where the team was bumped out in the second round.
Due to that shock exit, Rivers was let go by the LA Clippers and will now coach the Philadelphia 76ers next season.
#7 Michael Malone (Denver Nuggets)
As the Denver Nuggets have gotten better with every passing season, so has Michael Malone. The head coach deserves a lot of credit for the franchise's upturn in fortunes, as his slight adjustments have made the franchise more effective with each passing game.
In the 2020 postseason, the Denver Nuggets came back from 1-3 down in two consecutive series, which was no mean feat. Both series epitomised Malone's ability to adapt. Considering the same, the team could only get better and go deeper in the playoffs in the upcoming seasons.
#6 Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs)
Gregg Popovich's achievements and the San Antonio Spurs' dominance during the first half of the decade simply cannot be ignored. The legendary head coach's preference to stick with the basics and belief in the team-oriented system are impressive to watch and very effective in the postseason.
The current Spurs team may be a far cry from what it used to be during its championship days, but that is more a result of the roster's quality than anything else. Nevertheless, Gregg Popovich is one of the most-rated head coaches in the NBA at the moment.
#5 Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors)
Stephen Curry may be credited as the player who revolutionized the game of basketball, but not many talk about the revolutionary system of the Golden State Warriors in the NBA that was implemented by Steve Kerr.
In a league where shooters are generally not the best players in an NBA team, Kerr made shooters the center-piece of his team's system, which resulted in absolute dominance over the entire league.
With the Golden State Warriors superstars returning next season, the NBA community is waiting to see what the franchise could conjure next season.
#4 Nick Nurse (Toronto Raptors)
As a first-year head coach, Nick Nurse led the Toronto Raptors to its first-ever NBA Championship.
The team's system is an incredible one that emphasizes effort and hustle over anything else. While the team were unable to reach the Eastern Conference fFnals this year, it needs to be mentioned that their primary option, Kawhi Leonard, was traded away, which was a huge blow to the team.
Nevertheless, under Nick Nurse, the Toronto Raptors have a bright future ahead of them and could even compete for another NBA Championship in the near future.
#3 Brad Stevens (Boston Celtics)
Brad Stevens has transformed the Boston Celtics. After dealing away their best player in Kyrie Irving, the team became arguably more dominant than they were with the Brooklyn Nets player
Working around a trio of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker, the Celtics marched through the 2020 NBa playoffs to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost a very close series in seven games.
The impact of Brad Stevens on the Celtics has been incredibly significant, and he could just be the head coach to win the franchise their next NBA Championship.
#2 Frank Vogel (LA Lakers)
In this current era of basketball, where pace and space are absolutely essential to the success of an NBA franchise, Frank Vogel has managed to win an NBA Championship with a team that ranks poorly in both categories.
Considering the strengths of his team, Vogel emphasized on interior defense and an offense that slowed the game down to the LA Lakers' liking. While it may seem like the obvious move to make now, many head coaches in the NBA have faltered while trying to do the same.
With Frank Vogel's unique coaching style and the crop of players the LA Lakers currently have, the franchise could win several more NBA titles in the next few years.
#1 Erik Spoelstra
Erik Spoelstra is arguably the top active head coach in the NBA at the moment. The 49-year-old was absolutely outstanding last season, as he took an unassuming Miami Heat team all the way to the 2020 NBA Finals, where they went to six games against the LA Lakers.
Many players have come out and spoken highly about Spoelstra's credentials as a head coach and the winning culture he has imbibed in his team.
The amazing level of tactical thinking and his never-say-die attitude help his team pull off the impossible, attributes that make him the best head coach in the NBA now.
Also Read: NBA Free Agency 2020: 3 reasons why the Golden State Warriors should target Dwight Howard this off-season.
