The Boston Celtics were one of the big surprises of the season. Much of the credit for this success goes to head coach Joe Mazzulla. Tonight they face another surprise team in the Phoenix Suns, led by Jordan Ott.
This led to some lively online discussions on who deserves to be coach of the year. The other frequently cited candidate is JB Bickerstaff who led the Detroit Pistons to the best record in the East. Some would also cite Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson.
We are here (unashamedly) very biased towards our team. So, for the sake of discussion, I will ask you to carefully and reasonably objectively review the cases of other coaches.
JB Bickerstaff (Pistons): This is by no means a consensus, but in the preseason John Schuhmann had the Pistons ranked 11th overall and 4th in the East. They have been the clear leaders in the East all season long and show no signs of slowing down. They have a real identity and have really “joined” their coach. Cunningham rose into the MVP discussion and Jalen Duran earned his first All Star nod.
Jordan Ott (Suns): Back to the Schuhmann rankings, you have to scroll down A LOT to find the Suns at 25th overall. It also made sense, after trading Kevin Durant and sending Bradley Beal out. Yet somehow the Suns are 7th in the West with a .569 winning percentage. How he wins with this Land of Misfit Toys roster (Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen, Jalen Green) is beyond me.
Joe Mazzulla (Celtics): I think you know his game.
So who do you think deserves Coach of the Year?
So, what do you think?
