OKC Thunder: Nurse wins Coach of Year, Donovan third -top 3 by the numbers

Mike Budenholzer – Milwaukee Bucks

I have to admit Budenholzer didn’t finish ahead of Donovan on my list or a few others for that matter. When you consider none of the Raptors are rumored to make the All-Defensive team (maybe Pascal Siakam or Kyle Lowry for All-NBA) it means the coach is the one getting the majority of the credit.

But Budenholzer’s situation is very different. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a strong bet to win both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. That begs the question — how would the coach Bud fare if Giannis wasn’t on that team or if his team had to deal with copious injuries? When Antetokounmpo got hurt just prior to the league suspension they lost four of five games.

So while everyone respects what the Bucks have done Coach Bud hasn’t dealt with the injuries the Raptors have or the turnover Donovan has.

Factor in the numerous teams who sat their top player or core players when they played the Bucks. While preparing a power ranking post the week of the hiatus the list I compiled had over 30 games (closer to 40) where this oddity occurred. I’m sure Billy Donovan would’ve been delighted to play 30 games with the team missing their top player(s) and how that would’ve impacted their record.

Still, the Bucks are undeniably special based primarily on Antetokounmpo but it’s Coach Bud who instilled the culture and identity of the Bucks.

For the second year running Milwaukee has the best record in the NBA. Their reigning MVP may repeat and capture the rare double of also collecting DPoY.

They’ll get at least two players on All-NBA and All-Defensive teams based on their league-best (in-season) defense and net differential. Of note, they rank ninth, third, and sixth in the playoffs for offense, defense, and net rating facing an undermanned Magic team missing their top two players.

During the season they ranked third in points scored off the fast break and first for points scored in the paint.

Hey, he’s a worthy candidate, but again this squad faced little adversity, few man-games lost due to injury and has an otherworldly talent on the club.