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NBA: Predicting the 2018-19 regular season award winners

By Colin Cann

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 4, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Bucks 111-100. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 4, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Bucks 111-100. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 30: Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena on November 30, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 30: Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena on November 30, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Coach of the Year

Honorable Mentions:

Nick Nurse, Toronto Raptors 

The newly minted Toronto Raptors head coach, who was the architect behind last seasons revamped offense, should get some consideration. If he can expedite the acclimation process and get Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green on the same page as the rest of the team quickly he could be the second consecutive Raptor to take home the award, which would be out of the ordinary but far from impossible.

This may be the best team to ever come out of Toronto, Coach Nurse needs to take advantage and lead them to a #1 seed over an equally hungry Boston Celtics squad.

Mike Budenholzer, Milwaukee Bucks 

A previous winner of the award(with the Atlanta Hawks in 2014-15) is in a different city now, with likely the best player he has had under his tutelage. Coach Bud likes pace, space, and passing. The Bucks certainly haven’t played anything similar to that style of play in recent years, so he has his work cut out for him.

With Brooks Lopez, Ersan Ilyasova and rookie Donte DiVincenzo joining the team he should have the tools at his disposal to bridge the gap between playing styles. If he leads the Bucks to a top 3 seed while helping Giannis take another step he could be a dark horse candidate.

Quin Snyder, Utah Jazz 

Coach Snyder has had the Utah Jazz operating at a high level for several seasons now, had it not been for key injuries in recent history he may have won this award already. He is back with his best roster to date.

The defense will be there with Joe Ingles on the wing and Rudy Gobert holding down the paint. Rookie phenom Donovan Mitchell will look to build on last years success heading into his second season.

The roster is essentially the same, with the addition of Grayson Allen, and he should be ready to contribute right away at 23 years of age coming off 4 seasons at Duke. All the Jazz may need is a healthy season for Snyder to snag the award.

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