2015 NBA Award Picks: MVP, ROY, MIP, DPOY, COY

Coach of the Year

April 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr instructs during the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 116-105. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Winner: Steve Kerr (Golden State)

Runner-Up: Jason Kidd (Milwaukee)

The Kerr selection is obvious, for reasoning that plays as general logic and the basis for this award. He’s not solely responsible for the uptick in production seen by the Golden State Warriors and its players, but he and his staff have a lot to do with it, putting the players in better position to be successful in contrast with the previous regiment.

Though injury helped make the decision, Kerr’s path to an eventual Coach of the Year award began by inserting Draymond Green in the starting lineup. From there, things fell into pieces as we saw career best years from three starters, including an MVP candidacy mfro Stephen Curry. Fast forward to the end of the season and the Warriors are on the brink of winning 67 games after a historic run.

Not bad for a coach who was close to signing up for a job with the New York Knicks.

Tom West:

Winner: Steve Kerr (Golden State)

Runner-Up: Mike Budenholzer (Atlanta)

Both these coaches have installed the kind of team first mindset and selfless ball movement that the Spurs have proved to be the new answer to winning Championships. Kerr, however, has done that at an exceptional level in his rookie season as a coach. Not just that, but he’s done it at a level that has allowed his Warriors to win 67 games and dominate every nuance of the league.

He may have a highly talented team, but he’s taken Golden State’s defense up a significant notch since last year and he’s set the record for most wins by a first year coach in NBA history. How can he not be Coach of the Year?