The Golden State Warriors have the best record in basketball, and therefore Steve Kerr is automatically in contention for the NBA Coach of the Year award. Kerr doesn’t think he’ll win the award, though. Kerr thinks it will go to Mike D’Antoni of the Houston Rockets, he told ESPN:
“I think the fit with the roster and Mike’s philosophy has been perfect,” Kerr said Tuesday night. “What he’s so good at is really giving his players confidence and belief. They’re obviously having an amazing year. My guess is that he’ll get the trophy. He’s earned it.”
This is D’Antoni’s first season with the Rockets, but not his first spent running a fast-paced, high-scoring offense. D’Antoni was known for his offense-first coaching philosophy while he coached Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns.
If he does win the award, it will be the second of his career; he was named Coach of the Year with the Suns in 2005.
D’Antoni worked under Kerr in 2007-08, when Kerr served as Phoenix’s General Manager.
Other candidates for the award include Boston’s Brad Stevens, Miami’s Eric Spoelstra, Utah’s Quin Snyder, Washington’s Scott Brooks and (as always) San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich.
