OKC Thunder 2018-19 Awards Special -Predicting winners with a view to potential OKC contenders
Coach of the Year
This season feature copious first time head coaches or ones who’ve shifted to new locations including the current CoY Dwane Casey. The majority of our panel selected a first time winner while yours truly went for the sentimental pick and one other picked a repeat winner with his new squad.
Finalists in 2017-18: Dwane Casey (Raptors), Quin Snyder (Jazz), Brad Stevens (Celtics)
Winner: Dwane Casey, Toronto Raptors
Tamberlyn Richardson – Gregg Popovich – San Antonio Spurs
Based on recent wins, super team rosters and first time coaches rarely winning I removed Kerr, D’Antoni, Stevens and Nurse. In truth, I’m leaning toward Quin Snyder given the Jazz’ revamped offense.
BUT… my sentimental chip kicked in. The Spurs start the season following the loss of Dejounte Murray, several hobbled and no Parker or Ginobili. Combine these factors with it potentially being Pops last year on the bench. If he manages to get the Spurs a home court seed I think the voters tap him to win an award he could’ve won virtually every year he’s coached and send him out in style. Besides, don’t you want to hear that speech?
Lawrence George – Nick Nurse, Toronto Raptors
Nick Nurse. A rookie coach taking over from last year’s CoY Dwane Casey, Nurse has a loaded roster with the right balance. With Kawhi Leonard to be integrated into the fold, Nurse has his work cut out to meet the lofty expectations from a rowdy Raptors fan base. While many pundits question whether he has what it takes, Nurse was Toronto’s offensive coordinator the past few seasons, so expect excellent offensive basketball plays.
Rylan Stiles – Nick Nurse, Toronto Raptors
The Raptors will not fire this coach of the year. Nick Nurse and his stellar squad that will play suffocating defense will be good enough to earn Nurse this award giving the Raptors back-to-back coach of the year awards.
Austin Sternlicht – Mike Budenholzer, Milwaukee Bucks
After winning in 2015 with the Hawks, coach Bud helps unlock Giannis and put Milwaukee right up there with Boston and Toronto among the East’s best teams
Jordan Buckamneer – Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
If Brad Stevens doesn’t win this award, the system is broken.
https://twitter.com/OnlyInBOS/status/1046761654220976129
Asad Ali Jamal – Billy Donovan, OKC Thunder
I know. I’ve gone crazy, right? Well, maybe. All I can think about is how this might be the year for the Thunder. If Billy Donovan can get more ball movement in the offense and utilize the talent he has on-hand, then he should be in the Top five easily. I believe the Thunder will impress and a lot of that falls on Donavan.
Gideon Lim – Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
Everyone knows Brad Stevens got robbed last year (not a single vote, really??). This award will probably be an overdue recognition for his good work the past seasons. Watch out for Luke Walton too. For those who are not following, LeBron has been running the loop and setting screens under Walton’s watch. Just for doing what Tyronne Lue barely managed to sniff at, he should definitely receive some love.
Alex Mcewen – Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
Stevens is widely regarded as one of the best NBA head coaches, NBA GM’s even voted him the best head coach in the league. Therefore, in his sixth season, Stevens will finally take home the CoY hardware.