The NBA released the finalists for the Coach of the Year Award finalists Sunday evening. Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach Kenny Atkinson, Detroit Pistons Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff, and Houston Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka are the three finalists. Which man will be named coach of the year later this postseason?
Each Man’s Coach Of the Year Candidacy
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Atkinson was tremendous in his first year at the helm of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He guided them to a 64-18 regular season record and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers begin their quest for an NBA Championship this evening against the Miami Heat.
Bickerstaff was fired by the Cavaliers last year. He was quickly hired by the Detroit Pistons where he assisted in a turnaround for the ages. They had the NBA’s worst record last season and responded by earning the No. 6 seed this year. It is safe to say Bickerstaff and Atkinson are with the right teams. Even though Detroit blew Game 1 on Saturday against the Knicks, it has been a great year.
Udoka had a great 2024-25 season with the Houston Rockets. The team surprisingly earned the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. They won 11 more games this season than they did last year. Houston begins their postseason against the Golden State Warriors later this evening.
Final Thoughts
Atkinson has the inside track to be named the NBA’s Coach of the Year. He is the odds-on favorite and was named the National Basketball Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year. These three men guided their squads to great regular seasons. They will look to keep it going in the NBA Playoffs.
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