When a team succeeds, the players get the praise. But, when a team fails, all fingers are pointed to the head coach. While it seems a bit unfair, it’s the reality in every sport. It’s no different in the NBA. An NBA team cannot function perfectly without the leadership of the great minds of a head coach, and the coach cannot do very well if he has nothing to work around with. Without further ado, here are early favorites for the 2023-2024 Coach of the Year award. Where do you think your favorite team’s coach is ranked?
5. Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks)
Jason Kidd, one of the best point guards in history and also one of the best minds in basketball, entered the coaching industry right after retiring as a player. His first stints as a head coach (i.e. Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks) weren’t that great. Even with the Mavericks, he failed to bring the team into the postseason. But, this season, something changed inside the team.
Although Luka Doncic is playing like an MVP, there was a lot of movement in the roster. Maybe getting a talented rookie in Dereck Lively II was a great boost to this team. Add that to Kyrie Irving playing like a superstar again. Well, they are currently the 2nd seed in the West, and hopefully, this isn’t a fluke.
4. Nick Nurse (Philadelphia 76ers)
It does not surprise everybody that Nick Nurse is on this list due to the fact that the Sixers are the best team in the league right now. In 2020, when he was still running the show for the Toronto Raptors, he received the Coach of the Year award, just a year after winning the franchise’s first championship. But, a few years later, he was shockingly fired.
Now that he is in Philly, nothing much has changed, only that he was able to bring the best out of Tyrese Maxey. The Sixers were already a great team before he came, but they seem to have been better with Nurse’s playbook.
3. Mark Daigneault (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Last season, Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown was named the 2023 Coach of the Year, thanks to a groundbreaking year. After 17 long years, the Kings were able to reach the playoffs again with the help of Brown and new additional players like Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, and Kevin Huerter. Although we really have to give props to coach Mike Brown.
Now, we may be seeing that kind of achievement again with Oklahoma City Thunder’s Mark Daigneault.
"It's a privilege to compete against them. We have a team that respects them, but we'll also compete against them. And that's what I love about our team. We're not going to get any autographs tonight."
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault going into matchup vs. Phoenix Suns. #Suns pic.twitter.com/hYrwSvHHHy
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 12, 2023
Daigneault is leading a bunch of extremely talented youngsters such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and many others. They’ve started the season hot and are currently 5th in the West. With the right mindset and leadership, this young core is definitely going into the playoffs.
2. Joe Mazzulla (Boston Celtics)
After head coach Ime Udoka was forced to leave Boston last year, his job was left open but was later given to his assistant coach Joe Mazzulla. As someone who also knows Udoka’s system, there were very minimal changes in the team. They went deep in the playoffs again, only to get beaten by an 8th seed in the Conference Finals.
But, with a stronger roster for the 2023-2024 season, this team should be in the Finals again. Mazzulla has been a great key to this team’s success, but sometimes, just sometimes, he fails to make the best decisions. Nevertheless, Mazzulla still is a favorite to be the 2024 Coach of the Year.
1. NBA Coach of the Year heavy favorite: Michael Malone (Denver Nuggets)
Obviously, as the head coach for the reigning champions, there is no doubt why Michael Malone is deemed the 2024 Coach of the Year winner. Coaching runs in his blood as his father, Brendan Malone, was also a legendary NBA coach during the ’80s.
Before coming to Denver, Mike Malone served as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Hornets, and Golden State Warriors. In 2013-2014, he was given the job of the head coach for the Kings. His resume is already pretty impressive and he’s looking to make it even better with a Coach of the Year trophy. Last season, he finished third in voting.
"Last year was amazing, we got one ring. Who wants another?"
– Michael Malone has Denver lit 🗣️@nuggets Ring Ceremony | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/9T724hF8pX
— NBA (@NBA) October 24, 2023
With a great early season run, the Nuggets are favorites to become champions again and Nikola Jokic is actually a frontrunner for the 2024 MVP award.
