NBA: The Top Seven 2015-16 Coach Of The Year Candidates

Eric Spoelstra, Miami Heat

How can you start talking about the NBA Coach of the Year candidates without mentioning Eric Spoelstra? Not only has he led this Heat team, sans Chris Bosh in the second half of the season, to a top 4 (projected) record in the Eastern Conferece, but he’s also had to manage multiple egos in that locker room.

Frankly, that’s arguably been Spo’s best attribute as a head coach during his tenure with the Heat. Hassan Whiteside hasn’t been easily tamed this season and while Spo would never admit that, we all know that’s the case. Along with taming their big man in the middle, while getting him to buy into a role in which he comes off the bench, Spo has also had to manage an aging Dwyane Wade – which Stan Van Gundy says is the most difficult player to coach in the NBA, an aging superstar – Goran Dragic and, most recently, Joe Johnson.

He’s also been asked to develop players like Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson. To say that he’s excelled this season would be an understatement.

Spo likely won’t get many votes, but he should. That’s a shame.

Next: Kerr