Six weeks into 2016 NBA Season, this is my second NBA Awards Watch. I had an offseason version with LeBron James as the MVP, Steve Kerr as the Coach of the Year, Marcus Smart as the Most Improved Player, Marc Gasol as the Defensive Player of the Year, Jahlil Okafor as the Rookie of the Year and Joakim Noah as the Sixth Man of the Year. Regardless, these are my picks now, enjoy.
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Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs
Popovich’s Spurs have veterans knowing and playing their roles, and the NBA’s best defense. He also has Lamarcus Aldridge playing like a Spur already while Kawhi Leonard has transformed into the centerpiece of the offense. In short, the NBA’s best coach is doing the best job of his incredible career, which is saying a lot. -
Frank Vogel, Indiana Pacers
Vogel is making the Pacers a poor man’s Warriors – using small ball to become an excellent offensive team – and is still getting his team to play defense. Indiana is a lot stronger than expected and might be the third-best team in the Eastern Conference; eighth seemed likely to start the season. -
Billy Donovan, Oklahoma City Thunder
Donovan has his flawed team looking like a true contender by making defense just as important as scoring while having the Durant-Westbrook duo putting together arguably their best season. I didn’t like the hire, but Donovan is an excellent coach. -
Steve Clifford, Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are for real. They may not be a contender, but they just keep winning, and that is with them missing Al Jefferson right now and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist for the season. Clifford is getting NBA-best seasons from Kemba Walker, Nicolas Batum and Jeremy Lamb, and looks to be an excellent developer of talent. Clifford has Charlotte’s offense thriving, and his team’s defense, which should be pathetic, is one of the best in points allowed. -
Luke Walton, Golden State Warriors
Walton should be No. 2, but he won’t be winning this award, as Steve Kerr will be healthy and coaching mid-season. This is just an honorable vote for him.
NBA Awards Watch:
Coach of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year | Most Improved Player | MVP | Rookie of the Year | Sixth Man of the Year
Coach of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year | Most Improved Player | MVP | Rookie of the Year | Sixth Man of the Year
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