Spoelstra, D’Antoni named NBCA Coaches of the Year

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni have been named co-recipients of the NBCA Coach of the Year award this 2017. While this isn’t the official Coach of the Year award doled out by the NBA, this does hold some significant prestige to it. Having come from the National Basketball Coaches Association, the recipient(s) of this award is strictly voted on by the 30 NBA coaches. So being recognized by your peers does carry its own significant weight.

It’s been a good year for NBA coaches. It has been a year now since the last NBA coach has been relieved of his duties. The Memphis Grizzlies fired Dave Joerger on May 7 2016. That said, more than a few NBA coaches are at risk of losing their jobs, or at the very least under significant pressure to drastically turn things around. Alvin Gentry is under pressure improve the New Orleans Pelicans, which acquired elite NBA center DeMarcus Cousins and paired him with Anthony Davis.

Jeff Hornacek is saddled with a long-time underperforming New York Knicks franchise. They could move a few pieces here and there this off-season but look to possibly build on talented Latvian big man, Kristaps Porzingis.

Fred Hoiberg led the Bulls to a quick 2-0 lead in their playoff match-up against the Boston Celtics but appeared to buckle under the pressure and were eventually elimated by the Eastern conference’s top seed.

Expect some changes and some new faces in new places for the 2017-18 season.