Def Pen’s 2016-17 NBA Preview series continues as the NBA season come closer to getting started. We’ve already checked out the interesting field for the Rookie of the Year award, the deep Sixth Man of the Year pool and we also projected the standings for the season.
Now we take a look at the field for two awards tied closely together. The NBA’s coach of the Year and the Executive of the year awards usually go hand in hand, unless someone makes a dramatic impact in one way or another.
First up, the Executive of the Year award. There appears to be a clear winner here but there are other contenders who made an impact this offseason.
2016-17 NBA Preview
Executive of the Year
Winner: Bob Myers, Golden State Warriors
T-2. Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics
T-2. Dennis Lindsey, Utah Jazz
3. Larry Bird, Indiana Pacers
Other nominees: Doc Rivers, Tom Thibodeau, R.C. Buford, Stan Van Gundy.
It’s hard to go against the man who managed to bring Kevin Durant to his organization. Bob Myers also managed to secure a starting big man in Zaza Pachulia which infuriated other league executives. That’s when you know you did something right. On top of that, he also added some depth to his bench by adding veteran big man David West and appears to have a draft steal on his hands in Patrick McCaw. Plus he has quite possibly the best coach in the NBA roaming the sidelines in Steve Kerr. It appears Myers should run away with this award for the second time in three years. Unless something dramatically catastrophic happens in Golden State.
Coach of the Year
Winner: Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
2. Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
3. Quin Snyder, Utah Jazz
4. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs
5. Tyronn Lue, Cleveland Cavaliers
Other nominees: David Fizdale, Doc Rivers, Stan Van Gundy.
You would assume Steve Kerr would also run away with this award alongside Bob Myers and his honor. Think again. Kerr has some tough competition this season from other coaches who might be looking to take their team to the next level. While Steve Kerr should absolutely be a favorite, especially if the Warriors have a chance to win 70+ games again, there appears to be another heavy favorite to win the award for the first time.
Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics is looking to bring the C’s back to championship glory. With a new big man on the roster in Al Horford, the Celtics are heavy favorites to compete with the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors. Boston can challenge for one of the top 3 seeds in the east and if he does capture one of them, as expected, prepare for ‘President Stevens’ to run away with this award. An award some think is long overdue for Stevens.
