At the beginning of February general consensus among sportswriters was that Phil Jackson should be coach of the year, based on the Lakers unexpected performance. But as of now, the Lakers have lost 11 of their last 15 games. Does this change who should get the award?
I'm a Rockets (and thus Van Gundy) fan, but I think I'd have to give it to either Sam Mitchell of the Raptors, or Jerry Sloan of the Jazz. What about you?
2007-02-16 06:49:26 · 20 answers · asked by Arrik 2 in Sports ➔ Basketball
Compared to this time last year, no team has improved as much as the Jazz. They have won 20 more games. Second tis the Raptors. Third is the Knicks. We can take the Knicks out of the equation because Thomas created the mess in the first place and the team is still not above .500. So it comes down to Sloan and Mitchell. Sloan has more talent to work with so that is one advantage to Mitchell. But Sloan plays in the better conference so that's an advantage to Sloan. I personally think it should go to Sloan because even with an under achieving AK and injuries to Boozer, he has his team competing with the best in the league. Honourable mention to Sam Mitchell though.
2007-02-16 07:06:22 · answer #1 · answered by scarbados 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think anyone who's won it recently and whose team has stayed on top should win. At some point, these coaches are collecting dividends on the previous season.
So I believe coaches who have really taken their team up a notch, especially with incomplete talent, should get the most consideration.
My top candidates are:
* Jerry Sloan, who's never won but has guided a solid Jazz team. Okhur, Boozer and Williams are playing better than they are. If AK-47 could right his thinking, this squad could be a real force (Boozer's injury aside).
* Jeff Van Gundy has done a great job with a Rockets squad whose two best players have really only taken turns on the active list. Take away McGrady or Yao and tell me who from that squad you'd want your favorite team to trade for.
* Phil Jackson does have the benefit (?) of Kobe. But it really seems he's taught this squad the triangle and they're reaping the benefits. Bynum is better than expected (many nights anyway) and Walton has become a solid player. If Kobe hasn't fully become a better teammate, he at least is standing with one foot over the line. The man with more champtionship rings than anybody (he's got 9 as coach, plus 1 or 2 as a Knick) has never won coach of the year. I think this could be his year.
I noticed other people have listed Sam Mitchell. He may have done an impressive job, but in the JV league. I can't say he should get the award.
2007-02-16 16:04:42 · answer #2 · answered by shp.jc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think any team with Kobe should expect to do good. So, I am going to have to go with either Sam Mitchell of the Raptors, or Jerry Sloan of the Jazz. However, the Jazz slump at times after their great start and the Raptors seem to be getting better so I'm leaning towards Sam Mitchell. I def. would not have expected them to do good, or even decent. See thats why I say giving it to Phil Jackson would be crazy, Cris Bosh is a good player, but he is no Kobe, and he has no Odom.
Avery Johnson can't get it, I mean they went to the finals next year. It's supposed to be given to a coach that brings a team around, does something more, make them better than they were the year before, and while the Mav's are playing better it is not a surprise at all really.
2007-02-16 15:37:15 · answer #3 · answered by Korey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you know i think i might be the only one but i would seriously consider sam mitchell of the raptors. sloan has done a nice job no doubt about it, but his team was 41-41 last year and barely missed the playoffs so i expected them to get there with a healthy team so the jazz dont really surprise me. what does surprise me is the raptors. i thought the nets would have the division won, but bosh is becoming a leader and a force down low. sure its the atlantic division and its in the east but what bosh and ford have been able to do is impressive, they are above 500 and the recent play of andrea bargnani has been nice as well. so kudos to sam and the raptors.
2007-02-16 14:58:40 · answer #4 · answered by what? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I didn't know who I'd pick when I first clicked to answer, but I knew then that I would NOT give it to Sloan.
Until now, I didn't know who even coached the Raptors, so it'd be hypocritical of me to name Mitchell. With New Jersey underachieving, that effectively eliminates the entire Atlantic Division (other than Mitchell) from consideration.
With Houston 17-8 without Yao (when they were expected to fall apart without him), I don't see how anyone other than Van Gundy would be my choice.
2007-02-16 15:26:59 · answer #5 · answered by Judge Ghis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why avery johnson?? his team went to the finals last year and is likely to make the finals this year again. hes one of the fastes coaches to reach 50 wins and he won a coach of the in 06
phil jackson? someone who has 9 nba championships as a head coach with the bulls and lakers and a life time season record of 877 wins 353 losses, what difference would it make him if he won a coach of the year award
Jerry Sloan?, 4rth in the all time winlist for a coach with 1016+
sam mitchell is clearly the most deserving coach to me, with his team finally obove 500 in over 3 years. losing his franchise player in his first year, and finally getting help from better management and a much improved bench i say sam mitchell deserves coach of the year. it would boost his confidence for many more coaching seasons to come
2007-02-16 17:49:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are a few who qualify.. but my choice is phil jackson.
before the beginning of the year.. the lakers were a "bubble" team.. "they might make the playoffs", "kobe is selfish", "they have mediocre players"
well... with a selfish kobe, mediocre players, and no one believing in them.. the lakers are among the NBAs top teams.. ok.. i know someone's going to blast that last comment and i have to say that there are better teams.. but most of the better teams were suppose to be doing what they are doing right now.. the lakers are achieving something that NOBODY thought they would do.. and it's definitely due to the best coach in NBA history.. phil jax.. i know they are on a little slide right now.. but when they get healthy.. i know that nobody will want to face them in the playoffs.
i do however have to give it up to jerry sloan.. he does have better pieces.. ak, booz, deron, dfish,okur.... but to do what they've done.. simple awesome..
2007-02-16 16:31:18 · answer #7 · answered by tbone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe Phil Jackson should get the Coach of the Year, knowing the fact that they haven't had a full roster to play with. Kwame Brown has been out, Lamar Odom missed some games and Kobe Bryant, Luke Walton. Phil Jackson still has his team playing hard, having good plays from bench.
2007-02-16 15:12:24 · answer #8 · answered by cuhris84 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would give the Coach of the Year to Avery Johnson because after losing the NBA Finals to the Miami Heat, some people had them to not do good at all, and they have came back with a vengeance in search of their first NBA title.
2007-02-16 14:55:31 · answer #9 · answered by robert_mavs 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Little General, Avery Johnson for Dallas. He has Dallas playing the best basketball in the league. They are 30 for there last 32 and the Mavs are almost in the top ten in every catagory for both offense and defense.
2007-02-16 15:50:46 · answer #10 · answered by Mitch P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋