National Basketball Association

NBA Predictions: Who Will Be the League Coach of the Year?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 15, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts during the third quarter against the Miami Heat at KFC! YUM Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

The Coach of the Year in the NBA is an award that many coaches have held the honor of, each one deserving in their own right. This year, our staff makes predictions on who will be the most deserving.

When it comes to a great team in the NBA, talent and athleticism play a big role. However, one role that is overlooked in a lot of cases is the man at the head making in game decisions for the team.

Coaches gain respect at every level of the game, starting even in grade school. They are chosen to lead the team and make the best decisions for every player on the roster. These decisions get harder as the level of play gets better, but the importance is all the same.

By the time players reach the NBA, it is past teaching them the game and more about getting the most out of each player. When it all comes together, only a few coaches tend to stick out at the end of the season.

Here are The Smoking Cuban staff picks for the NBA Coach of the Year for 2016-17.

Oct 8, 2016; Kansas City , MO, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau reacts to a call during the first half against the Miami Heat at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Thibodeau

For the most part, each member of the staff picked different names to win Coach of the Year. However, three of our writers agreed on one name in the NBA.

“He’s a great coach that needed a change of scenery, and will be the perfect fit to develop this young Minnesota team. His facial expressions are the best in the league and has a knack for getting the most out of his teams. Look for Minnesota to be a much more disciplined and organized team this year.”

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– Shawn James

“This one is easy. Tom Thibodeau. This team is stacked with talent and if the pre season is any indication of the chemistry that we’ll see each year then Thibs is definitely a shoe in for the award. Thibodeau is a tough and defensive minded coach.

He will definitely commit to emphasizing hustle on the defensive end, but he will also structure the offense to use its strengths that its capable of. This combination will get more wins for the Timberwolves this year and will earn their first playoff berth in 13 years.”

– Ricky Castro

“The Wolves would have improved without the addition of the former head coach of the Chicago Bulls, simply due to the internal improvement of Towns and his peers, but with Thibodeau on board Minnesota could crack more than 40 wins. A serious improvement from last year that would put the defensive-minded coach into the run for coach of the year.”

– Marvin J. Hanke

Oct 8, 2016; Uncasville, CT, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens during a preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Stevens

Other than Thibodeau, Brad Stevens is our only other coach that received multiple votes. Here is what the staff had to say about the Boston Celtics coach.

“The NBA at this moment is in a boom period when it comes to great coaching. If you visit the top teams in the NBA, it’s hard to find a bad coaching staff. In saying that, I believe the Coach of the Year award will be given to the Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens.

Personally, I expect the Boston Celtics to make a big leap in the Eastern Conference and claim the number two seed behind the Cleveland Cavaliers. Stevens did a fantastic job last season with his team of role players, but now he’s added former All-Star Al Horford, I expect nothing but improvements from the Celts this season, which will result in a big award win for Brad Stevens.”

– Eron Ramadanov

“This year’s Coach of the Year in the NBA will be Brad Stevens. Al Horford finally gives Boston an experienced big man who can defend well but relieve Boston’s often stagnant offense. Steven’s was getting a pretty solid output from his team without Horford, and with him, they could be deadly. Boston is a sleeper for one of the top three or four seeds in the Eastern Conference.”

– Evan Siegel

Everyone Else

The rest of the staff had individual picks that all have a right being in the conversation as well. Here are the rest of the picks.

Oct 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers coach Nate McMillan coaches on the sidelines against the Dallas Mavericks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Nate McMillan

“It’s hard not to see Kerr or Lue getting this award as long as they finish atop their conference, but I’m going with Nate McMillan. With Paul George back fully healthy with a talented group around him, Indy is my pick to finish second out East this season.

Armed with newcomers Jeff Teague and Thad Young to go alongside of budding young stud, Myles Turner, I believe McMillan takes this team to the next level offensively. He’s my “Terry Stotts” this season.”

– Isaac Harris

Steve Kerr

“If there will be a season where Kerr will be able to show his coaching skills over just his roster, this is the season. Even though he has the super team of the season, he has to get these guys ready to play together. Also, outside of the 4 guys, the other parts of the team are a little weak. Most of the criticism of this team is how much they gave up to get Durant. We’ll find out soon how they’ll fare with their new roster, and if Kerr is as great as a coach as his last two teams have made him look.”

– Austin Denius

Oct 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder reacts during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Trail Blazers won 88-84. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Quin Snyder

“Quin Snyder is a bit of a dark horse pick due to the Utah Jazz inability to get over the hump the last few years. However, he has proven to be a great coach at developing a young roster full of unproven talent. If Utah can stay healthy and win a lot of games on their way to a playoff birth, Snyder will be a definite option for the award.”

– Kohl Rast

Gregg Popovich

“If Rick Carlisle coached in a different time, he would likely have multiple coach of the year awards. However, he again will be in Gregg Popovich’s shadow. Pop may be the best coach in NBA history, and deserves coach of the year every season. He will win Coach of the Year in 2017.”

– Sam Casey

The NBA Coach of the Year will be coaching a team that has exceeded expectations or just put together the pieces that did not seem to fit together before. Whatever the case, any of the coaches listed above could easily be receiving the award at the end of the year.