Early Coach of the Year Candidate

We are at the early part of the 2nd quarter of the elimination round so let me give our top 3 Coach of the Year candidates, so far.

#3  - David Fizdale
For a rookie coach to lead a veteran and injury laden squad to the fifth best record, he needs to be really really good. His starting SF has missed 18 games. Conley is bound to missed at three more weeks.

One more reason to consider him as the coach of the year was his decision to make Zach Randolph, their sixth man. That was not an easy decision to make and to execute and he did it. Lastly, did you expect them to have the top defensive rating, so far?



#2  - Gregg Popovich
Think about this. His defensive anchor and face of the franchise just called it a career. Tony Parker is playing the worst year of his career. His team is one of the worst at home. Even with those predicaments, they have the sixth best net rating.

Lastly, coach Pop showed his prowess when he decided to used a scheme that attempts the most midrange shot in the league, tested and verified as the least efficient shot in basketball.

#1  - Dwane Casey
Last season, he helped the Raptors finished with their best elimination round slate and playoff finish, ever. Basically, the biggest addition for this season was the player that they signed in last year's offseason, Demarre Carroll.

And yet, they are currently doubling their net rating. Their offense is being over-shadowed by the Warriors but they are only .9 away from the super squad. We also need to point out that they have a very glaring hole in their power forward position which being man by the 27th pick of the 2016 draft.