Top candidates for NBA Coach of the Year

With the 2020/21 NBA season approaching its conclusion quickly, now could be considered the best time to take a look at who could be going home with the prize of being named the NBA Coach of the Year.

As always, there are a number of candidates that could be considered to be worthy of such a prestigious award after a long and arduous season, with many different factors always considered as to why certain coaches will appear as favourites to those betting with bookmakers such as Indiana Unibet.

Here, we take a look at four head coaches that appear to all be in the running to be named the 2020/21 NBA Coach of the Year:

Monty Williams

The overall favourite to be named the NBA Coach of the Year this season is the Phoenix Suns’ Monty Williams and it would be hard not to see him take the prize at the end of the season.

The Phoenix Suns have been one of the biggest surprises this season, as they have had a highly impressive campaign; especially when you consider how poor they were last year. The Arizona franchise finished 10th in the NBA Western Conference last season but currently find themselves sitting at the top of the pile and with a trip to the NBA playoffs for the first time in over a decade.

Williams deserves a lot of credit for turning things around for the Suns in a short space of time, as his players have clearly brought into what he wants them to do on the court, which has made them a real threat in the upcoming playoffs, especially if they can continue their impressive form.

Quin Snyder

Utah Jazz’s Quin Snyder is considered the second favourite to take the NBA Coach of the Year award as he has turned the franchise into a highly dominant team and one that is incredibly difficult to beat. The franchise have held the league’s best overall record up until now, and they do not show any signs of slowing down as they head into the playoffs.

The Jazz, who are second to the Suns in the Western Conference, have one of the best rankings when it comes down to defense and offense, largely owe their thanks to Synder, as the coach has changed his methods from last season and have applied new tactics that have seemingly worked a treat. The team uses a long ball tactic that has seen them come up trumps, and despite having been solid under their coach for several years, it appears the Utah Jazz have stepped up to another level this season.

Tom Thibodeau

A previous winner of the award during his time with the Chicago Bulls, Tom Thibodeau is considered an outside chance to be awarded the recognition again this year for his work with the New York Knicks in his debut season as their head coach. He has completely changed the landscape for the franchise in less than 12 months, as the team was once considered the worst team in the NBA by many and a laughing stock by some.

However, with Thibodeau’s defensive-minded coaching, the Knicks have become incredibly difficult to beat and a team that is extremely effective together when on the court. They are currently ranked within the top five teams defensively and will play in the playoffs this season for the first time in a very long time; thanks in large to the work that Thibodeau has put in.

Doc Rivers

Doc Rivers is no stranger to winning personal awards such as Coach of the Year, as he won the NBA honour all the way back in 2000 when he was in charge of the Orlando Magic. 21 years later and in charge of the Philadelphia 76ers, Rivers has a chance of being handed the same honour yet again.

There is no doubting the role that Rivers has played since arriving in west Philadelphia, as the team has immediately improved in regards to the culture and their overall chemistry. This has played a huge role in helping them to remain near the top of the NBA Eastern Conference for much of the campaign.

A number of players have improved significantly under his coaching, with Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris all playing at a new level, whilst each and every player on his team appears to know exactly what their role is and what they should be doing on a basketball court throughout each contest being played.