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 Dallas Mavericks Rick Carlisle (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Rick Carlisle, Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks are 14-11 this season and only need to win 10 more games to match their win total from last season. The addition of DeAndre Jordan and rookie Luka Doncic has really paid dividends.

Dallas is having a much better season, considering that they finished as the 13th best team in the West last year. They are currently 7th in the standings at the moment. And this has all been done without Dirk Nowitzki and with Dennis Smith Jr. and Harrison Barnes missing games.

Rick Carlisle is one of the game’s best and he’s showing his value so far this season for the Dallas Mavericks. There’s no question, if the Mavs can sneak into the playoffs, that Carlisle will be on the shortlist for the NBA’s Coach of the Year award.