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

Mike Malone, Denver Nuggets

Mike Malone deserves a lot of credit to have the Denver Nuggets currently third in the Western Conference after losing so many players to injury already this season. Denver has already been without Will Barton, Gary Harris, Paul Millsap, Michael Porter Jr. and Isaiah Thomas.

Yet, despite all those injuries, the Nuggets are 18-9 and have a top 10 offense and defense. With the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets struggling mighty this season Denver appears to be the Warriors biggest threat outside of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Nuggets are for real, and if they can survive all these injuries, there’s no question that Malone should be a candidate for the NBA’s Coach of the Year award.