Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
The (potentially) record breaking Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has to be on this list. We should also mention that Luke Walton did a tremendous job filling in for Kerr to start the season. Nevertheless, whoever is eligible for this award, on the part of the Warriors, should get consideration.
In this case, that’s Kerr. Even if the Warriors fall short of breaking the regular season wins record (73), the Warriors are still guaranteed to win at least 71 games, probably 72. The only other team in NBA history that has won that many games was Michael Jordan‘s Chicago Bulls. That’s very telling of how good they’ve been this season.
Even though the Warriors have arguably the best roster in the NBA, you have to credit Kerr at least a little bit. Not every coach has what it takes to navigate this much talent during the regular season. Kerr has pushed the right buttons in two straight seasons as the coach of the Warriors. He didn’t win the award last season (lost to Mike Budenholzer), so maybe this is the year he does?
Next: Steve Clifford