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2018 NBA mid-season awards: Picking the league’s early standouts

By Jacob Doole

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 29: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics tries to block LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on December 29, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Celtics 124-118. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 29: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics tries to block LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on December 29, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Celtics 124-118. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 6: Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half at TD Garden on December 6, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Mavericks 97-90. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 6: Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half at TD Garden on December 6, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Mavericks 97-90. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics

Team record: 34-10 (First in Eastern Conference, second in NBA)

This is the easiest award to give now, and at the end of the season it shouldn’t be any different.

What Brad Stevens and the Celtics have done this season is nothing short of remarkable. When Gordon Hayward broke his ankle on opening night, the glowing predictions many had for Boston seemed impossible.

Fast forward to now, and Boston have somehow surpassed those pre-season expectations. Despite the loss of their All-Star forward, the Celtics have the best record in the East, the best defensive rating in the league (99.6), and the fourth best net rating (5.4).

Stevens has milked every last bit of ability out of his young squad. Kyrie Irving is a fringe MVP candidate, Al Horford could be the Defensive Player of the Year, and Jayson Tatum is one of the best three point shooters in the league.

We’ve known for years now that Stevens is a great X’s and O’s coach, but this season it’s become clear that he’s a truly great leader.

His systems make everything so much easier for those playing for him, on both ends of the floor. With a young team like this one, that makes a world of difference.

Runner up: Dwane Casey, Toronto Raptors

Team record: 29-11 (Second in Eastern Conference, T-third in NBA)

The Raptors have taken a step forward this season, despite losing a fair chunk of their depth from last season. Dwane Casey has managed his young second unit superbly while also undergoing a stylistic change.

Last season, the Raptors took just 24.3 3’s per game, ranked 22nd in the league. This season that’s up to 32.1 and fourth in the league.

Few coaches could make such a drastic transition so seamless, and Casey deserves credit for doing so.

Next three: Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs; Mike D’Antoni, Houston Rockets; Stan Van Gundy, Detroit Pistons

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