NBA: 2019-20 dark horse award predictions

Exploring dark horse candidates to win the NBA’s individual regular season awards in 2019-20

There are a few things we can anticipate this NBA season, barring major injury. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have a legit shot at leading the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA Finals and both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry are favorites to take home the NBA MVP trophy.

When the dust settles at the end of the season, there are a few longshots that may not be as far away from a successful season as they appear. Take a look at potential dark horse award scenarios that could play out.

Coach of the Year: Brett Brown

Brett Brown is beginning his seventh season as the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. With the talented duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, the 76ers have yet to advance beyond the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Brett Brown’s current roster has a veteran presence that he can lean on to preach his style to the rest of the team. With the help of newly acquired Al Horford, we may see Joel Embiid dominate the paint more. Tobias Harris is another veteran that can help dictate the flow of the game to fit Brett Brown’s offensive and defensive plan of attack.

It will be interesting to see how quickly the 76ers can overcome the absence of Jimmy Butler. Philadelphia relied on him to make big shots down the stretch last season. With the veteran now playing for the Miami Heat, Brett Brown will have to determine who gets those crucial last shots in close games.

If Brown can make the necessary adjustments this season, and coach the 76ers to a 55-win season for the first time in 18 years, the Coach of the Year Award is his.