Mike D’Antoni was hired about one year ago to lead the Houston Rockets after a disappointing campaign. Fast forward one year and the Rockets head coach has won the 2017 NBA Coach of the Year Award.
D’Antoni, who led the Rockets to a 55-27 record, was given the award at the NBA’s inaugural awards show.
In his first season in Houston, D’Antoni implemented the second best offense in the league, scoring 113.2 points per 100 possessions. Despite limited depth and defensive personnel, D’Antoni’s team also had the 18th best defense in the league.
Known for his revolutionary offenses, D’Antoni put the ball in James Harden’s hands more than ever, having the MVP candidate run the point en route to a career year. He also received career years from several role players, a strength of most D’Antoni-led teams.
D’Antoni’s coaching job led to a successful season for the Rockets. They finished the regular season as the third-best team in the Western Conference, only to lose in six games in the second round to the San Antonio Spurs.
This is D’Antoni’s second coach of the year award, winning it for the first time in 2004-05 as the leader of the Phoenix Suns.
