Who is your midseason Coach of the year?
Jason Coldiron: There are some great coaches and great stories, but Gregg Popovich is head and shoulders above everyone else. Whatever game he is playing is different than everyone else. He is the best coach in the world and he gets my vote here.
Clevis Murray: My pick would go to Luke Walton, but with Steve Kerr getting credits for Walton’s wins and losses this season, that’s something that would be weird. My argument though for him winning is this: if he can win Coach of the Month, why not Coach of the Year? With that being said my two candidates are David Blatt (Cleveland) and Gregg Popovich (San Antonio). Blatt went through a ton of growing pains last season with so many reports involving his job and scrutiny from players, but this season it’s different. He’s forgettable in good way with his team’s success and his quiet demeanor with the media. With Popovich, he’s the same as any year: winning and making comedic remarks to media. This will most likely be a very close voting, but if I had to pick I’d go with Gregg Popovich.
Other candidates: Rick Carlisle (Dallas), Stan Van Gundy (Detroit) and Scott Skiles (Orlando).
Evan Caulfield: Although he’s technically 0-0 by NBA standards, Luke Walton deserves credit for what he’s done with the Warriors. Don’t get me wrong, having players like Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green make it worlds easier for an interim coach, but he’s still done a remarkable job with Steve Kerr out.
John Armstrong: I’d give it to Stan Van Gundy. He’s already turned the Pistons around and they are fun to watch. He’s instituted his system which we all remember from Orlando with Dwight Howard. He’s got his attacking point guard, knockdown shooters, and a titan in the paint. Reggie Jackson has looked phenomenal pretty much all season. Andre Drummond has blossomed into a bona fide All-Star, adding a reliable post game to his already incredible pick-and-roll play and imposing defense. Van Gundy might not have been getting a lot of attention up until now, but a double digit win at home against the dominant Warriors might have skyrocketed him into the Coach of the Year conversation, though I think he’s been there all season.
Michael Saenz: I would give it to Gregg Popovich officially, but I’d definitely entertain George Karl if the Sacramento Kings make the playoffs. That would be quite the accomplishment after what transpired between the team this past summer.
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