NBA: Ranking All 30 Head Coaches In The League

June 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach

meets with Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt before game one of the NBA Finals. at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

SCIC offers the most thorough ranking of all 30 active NBA head coaches

More from Sir Charles In Charge

• LeBron James working to assemble super team for USA Basketball in 2024
• Dillon Brooks proved his value to Houston Rockets in the 2023 FIBA World Cup
• NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season
• Golden State Warriors: Buy or sell Chris Paul being a day 1 starter
• Does Christian Wood make the Los Angeles Lakers a legit contender?

This article will address the age-old question, does an NBA head coach actually do anything? At some point in our NBA fandom, we have all pondered over this puzzling matter. We’ve watched coaches walk out with their teams, dressed in suits that we can only dream of being able to afford. Their hair is freshly gelled, and their bald spots are waxed to perfection.

During media timeouts, we always see the coach holding a clipboard and drawing up a play, but how often do we actually see the team run that play? Don’t get me wrong here, head coaches are an important part of a team (which is why the Wizards can’t win a title), but how important are they really?

Here’s a ranking of the 30 NBA head coaches, and as always feel free to comment on the rankings in the comments section below.

Next: Derek Fisher

Apr 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks head coach

talks to guard

(11) against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

30. Derek Fisher, New York Knicks

Okay, pop quiz, name the five starters for the New York Knicks at the end of last season. The correct answer is Jason Smith, Lance Thomas, Cole Aldrich, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Langston Gallaway. Did you answer correctly? No? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

Derek Fisher didn’t walk into a great situation when he became the Knicks head coach. He was coaching a team of ragtag players, who could maybe go .500 in the summer league. A team like the Knicks doesn’t need a young coach coming right out of the NBA. They need a coach, who will provide structure and attract big-name free agents (no offense Robin Lopez and Derrick Williams).

It amazes me that the Knicks haven’t brought in an experienced coach like Tom Thibodeau, but maybe they are content with having Jason Smith as the face of their franchise. But actually, who thought it would be a good idea to make him the Knicks featured player?

Fisher does not have the experience to successfully coach the Knicks. It would be one thing if the Knicks had a point guard who Fisher could work with and develop, but they have Langston Gallaway (who even is that?).

But the Knicks should be fine this season. They only lost Hardaway Jr., and drafted a player whose last name sounds like an antidepressant. Keep up the great work, Fisher.

Next: Michael Malone

November 30, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Michael Malone (right) instructs forward

(34, left) during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Sleep Train Arena. The Grizzlies defeated the Kings 97-85. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

29. Michael Malone, Denver Nuggets

Michael Malone went 39-67 while coaching the Sacramento Kings the past two seasons. But to be fair, Malone served more as a camp counselor than as a head coach. Having to deal with both DeMarcus Cousins and Reggie Evans could not have been easy, which was evident from Malone’s lack of success. Maybe he should have tried that 4-on-5 defense philosophy.

Luckily for Malone, he stepped into a program with more responsible players like Ty Lawson. Yeah, it was probably a good idea the Nuggets traded Lawson. Malone has been around the NBA for 12 seasons now, but will he be able to develop Jusuf Nurkic and Emmanuel Mudiay into starting caliber players?

Next: Brett Brown?

Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown rubs his head in reaction to a turnover against the Miami Heat during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Heat won 105-101. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

28. Brett Brown, Philadelphia 76ers

I kind of feel for Brett Brown, because I honestly have no clue what the 76ers front office is trying to accomplish. The team currently has six centers listed on their roster after drafting Jahlil Okafor this summer.

Philadelphia has battled Sacramento for the title of “Biggest Joke in the NBA” these past few seasons, but it’s hard to really put the blame on Brown. Sure, Brown has a record of 37-127 these past two seasons, but it could have been worse, right?

I think the 76ers should really try out a tall lineup this year, and start Okafor, Nerlens Noel, Furkan Aldemir, Guillermo Hernangomez and Henry Sims. Noel would definitely play the point.

Maybe Joel Embiid could coach the team.

Apr 13, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach

reacts to a play during the third quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 102-92. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

27. Byron Scott, Los Angeles Lakers

Byron Scott is a good coach, but the Lakers are just that much of a mess. I was hesitant to put Scott so far down on this list. I mean he did coach the Hornets to a 56-26 record in 2007-08, when he won the NBA Coach of the Year Award.

I might be biased in this pick, because I am very sympathetic towards any coach who has to attempt to mentor Kobe Bryant. Also, I admire Scott’s bold decision-making, after he talked about possibly putting Bryant at power forward this season.

So it pains me to put such a good head coach here, but between his horrible three seasons with Cleveland and the 21 wins he recorded as coach for the Lakers last year, I had no choice.

Next: Flip Saunders

Mar 15, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders reacts during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

26. Flip Saunders, Minnesota Timberwolves

Flip Saunders was a great coach with the Detroit Pistons, but unfortunately the Timberwolves do not have a roster of Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups. Saunders can only coach a certain type of team. He was not successful in Washington, because players like Javale McGee and Nick Young did not have the heart that Saunders expects from his players.

Fueled by Kevin Garnett‘s return, the Timberwolves are ready to make a run for a playoff spot, and I believe that Saunders will actually have a chance with this team. But there are still a lot of questions surrounding the potential success of Minnesota, including how well Karl-Anthony Towns will adapt to the NBA. I think that as a coach, Saunders is better than David Blatt, but I had to rank him here because of the team he is with.

Hey, I am as big of a Nikola Pekovic fan as the next guy, but I just don’t know if he is the key to a NBA title.

Next: Randy Wittman

Apr 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Wizards head coach

calls out instructions in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Washington defeated Toronto 93-86. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

25. Randy Wittman, Washington Wizards

First, let’s establish my bias here. As a life-long Washington Wizards fan it pains me to watch a team with such a good roster consistently fail to make the Eastern Conference Finals. I’ve had to deal with the Gilbert Arenas vs. Javaris Crittenton shootout, the Kwame Brown drafting of 2001 and don’t even get me started on JaVale McGee.

Now that the Wizards have arguably the best backcourt in the NBA, paired with Marcin Gortat, Nene and Otto Porter, I can’t bear to see the Wizards fall short — again. Wittman does not have enough control over this team, and he struggles to close out games. He has only won a combined 90 games with the Wizards the past two seasons, and they should easily be winning 50 games a season.

Next: Steve Clifford

Apr 4, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford watches a replay during a timeout in the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

24. Steve Clifford, Charlotte Hornets

Steve Clifford has put up an okay 76-88 record with the Hornets since becoming their head coach. I’m going to be honest, I don’t have much to say about Steve Clifford, and he may be the most insignificant coach in the NBA. In fact, did anyone actually know that Steve Clifford was the coach of the Hornets?

My next problem with the Hornets is why do they have four of the exact same player? On their current roster they have Cody Zeller, Frank Kaminsky, Tyler Hansbrough and Spencer Hawes. All four of those players provide the same thing— a lack of athleticism. Sorry, I just felt compelled to mention this.

In conclusion, Steve Clifford is just kind of there. There are better options, but there are also worse options. So I guess be content, Hornets fans.

Next: Scott Skiles

Mar 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Boston Celtics guard

(13) and forward

(8) defend Orlando Magic forward

(44) inside the paint during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

23. Scott Skiles, Orlando Magic

I was originally going to put in a picture of Scott Skiles, but then I thought that you might appreciate this picture of Andrew Nicholson struggling to get through Jonas Jerebko’s pesky defense. Skiles seemed like a lateral move from Jacque Vaughn, and a slight improvement over James Borrego.

Skiles has a streaky coaching history in terms of wins, and only has five winning seasons in the 13 seasons that he has coached. But Skiles could be a good fit for Orland and he could help Elfrid Payton augment his passing ability. But, then again, he could also be a complete bust and Orlando could find themselves in the lottery, again. The latter is more likely.

At least Skiles has “the only player in this draft that could win both the three-point contest at NBA All-Star Weekend and the dunk contest” in Mario Hezonja (because ESPN hasn’t mentioned it enough).

Next: Alvin Gentry

Jun 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry holds up a jersey with general manager

(right) during a press conference at the New Orleans Pelicans Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

22. Alvin Gentry, New Orleans Pelicans

Remember when the Suns were a dominant team with Steve Nash, Shawn Marion and an Amar’e Stoudemire who didn’t punch fire extinguishers? Gentry led the Suns to a 54-28 record during the 2009-10 season, when they also won 10 playoff games.

Now, Jrue Holiday is clearly a better point guard than Steve Nash was, and Luke Babbit is obviously as dynamic of a player as Marion was. Also that was a joke because let’s be honest, Luke Babbit is just some trash, and Steve Nash is the best passer since UNC athletes in their African American studies classes.

But in many ways Stoudemire and Anthony Davis are very similar players. They put up nearly identical statistics during their rookie seasons, and in the following seasons their scoring numbers skyrocketed. Gentry will be key as the Pelicans continue to develop Davis, and with a little more depth and a little less Babbit, this team could definitely make a run for the eighth seed in the west.

Next: Billy Donovan

May 1, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder new head coach Billy Donovan speaks to the media at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

21. Billy Donovan, Oklahoma City Thunder

I’m probably going to get a lot of hate for putting a rookie coach at No. 21, but could Billy Donovan have walked into a better situation? Donovan already has one of the best point guards in the league, the golden boy of the NBA and Steve Novak, who is the best shooting benchwarmer since Matt Bonner actually started playing in games.

Donovan was a champion with Florida, and has a history of developing centers into outstanding NBA players. Both Al Horford and Joakim Noah were Donovan products, and both are top-15 centers in the NBA. The biggest weakness of the Thunder has always been their frontcourt, and if Donovan can develop either Steven Adams or Enes Kanter the same way he developed Noah and Horford, then there’s no reason why the Thunder won’t be in the NBA Western Conference Finals.

Next: Quin Snyder

Apr 8, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder gives Utah Jazz guard

(11) instructions during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at EnergySolutions Arena. Utah Jazz on the game 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

20. Quin Snyder, Utah Jazz

Quin Snyder should have received an award just for winning 38 games with the Jazz last season. If you look at the Jazz on paper, they could be the most mediocre team in the NBA (I don’t count the Knicks and Lakers because they are in a separate level of bad, which is reserved for draft picks like Hasheem Thabeet and teams like the 2012 Charlotte Bobcats).

The Jazz have some talent with Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward and Dante Exum, but I wouldn’t exactly consider that trio the next Big Three. Snyder is building the Jazz back into a contending team, but the process is just beginning. The Jazz won’t make the playoffs, and I don’t know if they will even win half of their games this year, but Snyder is turning this team back into the Utah Jazz that we once loved. You know, the team with Greg Ostertag and Mehmet Okur, or maybe that was just me.

Next: Fred Hoiberg

Jun 2, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; New Chicago Bulls head coach

speaks during a press conference at Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

19. Fred Hoiberg, Chicago Bulls

Yep, I ranked another rookie ahead of veteran coaches, so get over it. This ranking could be a little biased due to my love of the Timberwolves team with Kevin Garnett, Sam Cassell, Latrell Sprewell, Michael Olowokandi and of course Hoiberg. But Hoiberg has built a respectable résumé while working at Iowa State, and like Billy Donovan and the Thunder, the Bulls do not need too much work to get back to being a contender.

Even if Derek Rose is never the same player that he once was, the Bulls depth makes up for Rose’s lack of functional knees. Hoiberg is a good fit for teams that can shoot the ball well, and the Bulls shot 37.3 percent from three last season. Hoiberg will work well with Pau Gasol and his mid-range game and with his coaching the Bulls could win the NBA Eastern Conference.

Next: LeBron James

Jun 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt talks with forward LeBron James (23) during practice prior to the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

18. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

I’m listing LeBron James as the head coach for the Cavaliers, because we all know who the real coach of the team is. I’m convinced Dan Gilbert could have hired Yi Jianlian, and the Cavs would have won the same number of games. When I watch a Cavs game, I imagine Blatt sitting on the sideline, playing with a coloring book (same goes for Brendan Haywood despite his pivotal role on the team).

Honestly, has anyone actually seen anyone on the Cavs listen to David Blatt during a timeout? However, I feel obligated to rank James/Blatt here, because despite the Cavs apparent lack of respect for their coach, they still made the NBA Finals.

Next: Lionel Hollins

May 1, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Lionel Hollins talks with Brooklyn Nets small forward

(7) during the third quarter of game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center. The Hawks defeated the Nets 111-87 to win the series 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

17. Lionel Hollins, Brooklyn Nets

So a coach locks up the No. 5 seed for the playoffs (in the Western Conference), wins 56 games and gets fired. What exactly were the Grizzlies thinking when they fired Lionel Hollins? In his last three years with Memphis, he went 143-87. Hollins was the coach who helped Mike Conley and Marc Gasol reach their full potential, and he accomplished the once thought to be impossible task of preventing Zach Randolph from eating his way out of the league.

Okay, so Hollins and the Nets went 38-44 last season, but hey that’s good enough for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The point here isn’t that Hollins barely got a playoff spot in the weakest conference of any sport ever, but the point is that he barely got a playoff spot in the weakest conference of any sport ever by playing Bojan Bogdanovic 34.3 minutes per game. Hollins is the right coach to fix Brooklyn, just give him a couple more seasons.

Next: Jeff Hornacek

Apr 4, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek and Phoenix Suns forward

(17) look on against the Utah Jazz at US Airways Center. The Suns won 87-85. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

16. Jeff Hornacek, Phoenix Suns

I wouldn’t say that Jeff Hornacek is a significantly better coach than Alvin Gentry right now. But the team that Hornacek is working with is a lot less gifted. Where Gentry had Steve Nash, Hornacek had Goran Dragic. Where Gentry had Amar’e Stoudemire, Hornacek had Markieff Morris. And where Gentry had Channing Frye, well…Hornacek also had Channing Frye.

Sure, Hornacek lost most of the Suns’ talented players to free agency between Dragic and Gerald Green. But he now has Tyson Chandler to work with, who is the most one-dimensional center in the history of the NBA.

The Suns will be an average team at best next season, which is perfect for Hornacek, who is an average coach at best.

Next: Stan Van Gundy

Apr 10, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pacers won 107-103. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

15. Stan Van Gundy, Detroit Pistons

Stan Van Gundy is another coach that I am ranking highly because of his past. I could care less that he only won 32 games last year, but what I do care about is how the defensively-minded coach will benefit both Andre Drummond and Stanley Johnson.

Van Gundy was the right coach for Dwight Howard, and he shaped Howard into the defensive powerhouse he has built his career on. Also, Van Gundy knows how to manipulate average role players like Jameer Nelson and Mickael Pietrus into critical playmakers. Van Gundy will be able to turn Reggie Jackson into the next Jameer Nelson, and work with Marcus Morris and Ersan Ilyasova to give the Pistons the depth to take them to the next level.

Next: George Karl

April 5, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach George Karl (center) instructs in a huddle against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Jazz defeated the Kings 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

14. George Karl, Sacramento Kings

One thing is for certain, and that is that Sacramento will be an interesting team to watch this season. With the new dynamic duo in DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo, well let’s just say it’s a good thing George Karl doesn’t have any hair left to pull out. Karl is a great coach, and there’s no denying that, but this could be the most difficult challenge of his career.

Karl is already having problems with Cousins, and adding Rondo to the mix certainly won’t quell the problems in the locker room. I would rank Karl higher on this list, but I have a general rule that no head coach of the Kings can be ranked in the top-10.

Are you excited, George? Are you really?

Next: Jason Kidd

Apr 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd breaks up an altercation including Chicago Bulls guard

(21) and Milwaukee Bucks guard

(22) during the second quarter in game two of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

13. Jason Kidd, Milwaukee Bucks

I’ll be the first to admit that I was wrong about Jason Kidd. After Kidd’s not so amicable departure from Brooklyn, I thought that there was no way he would be able to turn Milwaukee into a playoff team. Not only did Kidd get the Bucks into the playoffs, but somehow he also turned Khris Middleton into a $70-million player. WHO GIVES KHRIS MIDDLETON $70 MILLION?

As a head coach, Kidd is 85-79 and has already won seven playoff games. He is a rare exception to recently retired players exhibiting success as NBA head coaches (see No. 30 for how it panned out for Derek Fisher), and with the addition of Greg Monroe, the Bucks probably still won’t be a contender in the Eastern Conference. But, maybe they could lock up a No. 5 seed?

Next: Kevin McHale

May 27, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale (center) instructs in a team huddle during the fourth quarter in game five of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 104-90 to advance to the NBA Finals. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

12. Kevin McHale, Houston Rockets

Before I begin bashing Kevin McHale, I first want to give props to him because we all know coaching a team with Dwight Howard and James Harden cannot be easy. Now, I don’t have a problem with McHale, but I will use him as a prime example of why NBA fans ask if the head coach actually matters to a team.

When McHale coached the Timberwolves, he finished with a record of 39-55. Minnesota was simply not a good basketball team. But were the Timberwolves bad because McHale was a bad coach? Or were they bad because well they had Sebastian Telfair and, yes, Brian Cardinal (please ignore the part about the Timberwolves also having Al Jefferson and Kevin Love)?

But when McHale went to Houston, he actually started winning games. Did McHale’s coaching ability coincidentally improve as soon as he left Minnesota? Or does it just so happen that the head coach of a team really doesn’t make that much of a difference?

Either way, I rank McHale here because he has experienced quite a bit of success while with Houston, and I really didn’t want to rank him lower than Jason Kidd.

Next: Dwane Casey

Apr 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey (R) talks to forward

(3) during a stoppage in play against the Charlotte Hornets during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

11. Dwane Casey, Toronto Raptors

Dwane Casey took the Toronto Raptors from being a bad team in a good Eastern Conference to being a good team in a bad Eastern Conference. If that doesn’t scream success, then I don’t know what does. But actually, Casey has completely revitalized the Raptors organization.

After Chris Bosh left for the Heat, the future of the Raptors looked bleak. But Casey built his rotation around Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, and earned his team the fourth seed in the playoffs. I would rank Casey higher, but he is 3-8 in the playoffs and can’t seem to get his team past the first round.

In the words of Fran Fraschilla, the Toronto Raptors are “two years away from being two years away.”

Next: Brad Stevens

Apr 21, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens reacts in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

10. Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics

So 65-99 may not look like a spectacular record on paper, but neither does the Celtics roster. Brad Stevens took the Celtics back to the playoffs much sooner than anyone expected. Yes, Boston was swept in the first round, but the Celtics made several improvements over the summer and we could be seeing them back in the playoffs next year.

When Stevens left Butler for Boston, I wasn’t sure how a head coach from a relatively small D1 school would fair in the NBA, but despite his young age, Stevens has managed to keep his team in control and has given them the energy they need to play with.

Boston is a young team, and Stevens is a young coach. He uses the team’s lack of experience as an advantage by using a more collegiate style of play, and having his big men play more face-to-the-basket. Stevens earned this spot for his innovative coaching style, and definitely not for his record.

Next: Erik Spoelstra

Nov 1, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra on the sidelines against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

9. Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat

So the Miami Heat lose LeBron James and they fail to make the playoffs, funny how that works. This is part of the reason why I refuse to recognize David Blatt as being a quality NBA coach. If Spoelstra did not have the two NBA championships, I would probably put him in the same category as Blatt.

But Spoelstra did get Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron to play as a team and win games. Also by “play as a team” I mean give the ball to LeBron and occasionally let Chris Bosh shoot a deep three so that he will stop complaining.

Next: Frank Vogel

Apr 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel diagrams a play during a game against the Miami Heat at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Miami 112-89. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

8. Frank Vogel, Indiana Pacers

The Pacers had a bad season. Roy Hibbert was rubbish and Paul George could barely walk. However, I guarantee that Frank Vogel will take the Pacers to the playoffs this year, and my guarantees are never wrong (my last guarantee was that Xavier would win the NCAA Tournament, while being led by Matt Stainbrook).

The Pacers are now equipped with Monta Ellis and Myles Turner. Vogel will turn Turner (see what I did there?) into the next LaMarcus Aldridge, and Ellis will be the biggest Pacers free agent since the team traded for Chase Budinger four days prior.

Next: Terry Stotts

Apr 15, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts jokes with guard

(10) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Trail Blazers 114-98. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

7. Terry Stotts, Portland Trail Blazers

Terry Stotts coached the Trail Blazers to a 51-31 record while starting Robin Lopez, and playing Chris Kaman 18.9 minutes per game. I think that pretty much covers all that needs to be said about Stotts ability to win.

Moving on.

Next: Dave Joerger

May 15, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) is met by head coach Dave Joerger as he leaves the game in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

6. Dave Joerger, Memphis Grizzlies

So if you’re going to fire Lionel Hollins, Dave Joerger is one of the few justifiable candidates to take his place. After two seasons with Memphis, Joerger is 164-105 and has an impressive winning percentage of 64 percent. For a small-market team, Memphis has made tremendous strides in recent years, and part of the reason is the coaching change.

Joerger has turned Marc Gasol into the best center in the NBA. The Grizzlies run their offense through Gasol, who can both score and distribute the basketball. But Joerger better make it to the Western Conference Finals soon before he too is fired for no apparent reason.

Next: Doc Rivers

Jul 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers players pose with jerseys at press conference at Staples Center. From left:

(22),

(6),

(25), coach Doc Rivers and

(5),

(45),

(34) and

(33). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

5. Doc Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers

How can Doc Rivers not be smiling in this picture. He’s standing next to the most coveted free agent of the summer, his old pal Paul Pierce and Cole Aldrich, who really just doesn’t seem to belong in this picture. Rivers and the Clippers have had one of the better offseasons among NBA teams, and the Warriors should be worried about losing their crown.

Rivers, who has won 113 games in the past two seasons and already has a ring, now has the opportunity to coach one of the best teams in the NBA while also coaching his son. The Clippers are early contenders for the Western Conference Championship, and Rivers could very well win his second ring this season (as long as he starts Cole Aldrich).

Next: Rick Carlisle

Apr 4, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle speaks with guard

(20) during the game against the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

4. Rick Carlisle, Dallas Mavericks

It was a tough choice between Rick Carlisle and Doc Rivers, but in the end it really came down to winning percentage. While Rivers has won 57.2 percent of the games that he has coached, Carlisle has won 59 percent of the games that he has coached.

Both Carlisle and Rivers have won a NBA Title, but Carlisle accomplished it by playing both J.J. Barea and Brian Cardinal in the playoffs. Carlisle is ranked at No. 4 because he can work with whoever Mark Cuban gives him. It doesn’t matter that the Mavericks missed out on DeAndre Jordan, because Carlisle will still find a way to win.

Next: Mike Budenholzer

May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer and forward

(4) react during the fourth quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Cleveland won 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

3. Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks

Wow. Just wow. Mike Budenholzer won 60 games last season with a team whose starting lineup included both Kyle Korver and DeMarre Carroll. Okay, I guess Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague and Al Horford are pretty good, too. Nobody expected Atlanta to be as good as they were, and if you say that you did expect it, then you’re just a liar.

Budenholzer is one of my favorite coaches because of his coaching philosophy. He promotes playing as a team and moving the ball, unlike Cleveland who just gives the ball to LeBron and lets him work in the paint. Atlanta swings the ball quickly and will not take a shot unless they know that it is the best opportunity they can get on that possession. Budenholzer is a role model that future head coaches should take after. He is bringing back to the sport of basketball what LeBron stole — playing as a team.

Next: Steve Kerr

Jun 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr speaks during the Golden State Warriors 2015 championship celebration at the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

2. Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors

It’s difficult to find anything wrong with Steve Kerr. He coaches one season in the NBA, wins 67 games during the regular season, goes 39-2 at home and wins an NBA Championship. What more could an owner ask for?

I realize that Kerr didn’t exactly have to deal with the same athletically impaired lineup that say Derek Fisher had to deal with, but the way he used Andre Iguodala to “shut down” LeBron James in the NBA Finals was simply impressive.

In a single season, Kerr revitalized Iguodala’s career, turned Draymond Green into a coveted free agent and won a NBA championship without even using Ognjen Kuzmic.

*I just enjoyed this tweet for some reason.

Next: Gregg Popovich

Apr 10, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich (R) talks with forward

(21) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Spurs defeated the Rockets 104-103. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs

This is a pretty easy decision. Gregg Popovich is the GOAT, and the epitome of a head coach. He doesn’t deal with the shenanigans you’ll find in Sacramento or Washington’s locker room, and even Kobe Bryant respects him.

One of my favorite Pop moments has to this summer, when he told the San Antonio Express News about his preparation for the mad rush during the free agency period.

“I’m not calling anyone at midnight,” Popovich said. “I’ll be in bed. And if that’s the difference in someone coming and not coming, then I don’t want them.”

I can’t think of a single argument against Pop being ranking the No. 1 coach in the NBA, and if you disagree then I respectfully think you’re an idiot.

Next: Every NBA Team's Biggest Weakness Heading into 2015-16