NBA: Early look at 2018-19 Coach of the Year favorites

NBA Los Angeles Clippers Doc Rivers (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
NBA Los Angeles Clippers Doc Rivers (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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NBA
NBA Toronto Raptors Nick Nurse (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Nick Nurse, Toronto Raptors

Nick Nurse inherited a team that went 59-23 last season and has done a great job with elevating the team’s play. A big reason for the Raptors strong start has been the addition of Kawhi Leonard who was traded to Toronto in exchange for DeMar DeRozan, and other pieces.

The Raptors have the leagues second best offense and 7th best defense. On the nights that he’s active, Kawhi Leonard has looked every bit like the favorite for the NBA MVP award. This team has been consistently the best in the league.

Given how much DeRozan meant to the team and culture for Nurse to keep things not only afloat, but to have them as the NBA’s top team by record is very impressive.