This NBA season had seen some great coaching performances. More than season’s best, teams really needed to rely on their head coach and coaching staff for guidance. Here are my top coaches this season.

Third Place

Nate McMillan

Portland Trailblazers, 48-34

Nate McMillan cracks my top 3 narrowly. This may have been his best coaching job thus far. He managed his team through huge injuries and has groomed LaMarcus Aldridge into star. He not only led the Blazers to the playoffs but got them in as a 6 seed.

Runner-Up

Gregg Popovich

San Antonio Spurs, 61-21

For much of the season the Spurs had the league’s best record. They stumbled somewhat at the end of the season but still finished with the west’s best record and 2nd best in the league. Popovich changed his philosophy a bit and have the Spurs playing at a faster pace. He also has cut down on Tim Duncan’s minutes and that has helped to prolong Duncan’s career. The Spurs were supposed to be too old, but Pop has them looking fresh and re-energized.

Winner

Tom Thibodeau

Chicago Bulls, 62-20

Tom Thibodeau is the runaway winner of the Coach of the Year award. In his first season as a head coach, Thibodeau led the Chicago Bulls to the best record in the NBA, and to their best record since the Jordan era. He turned the Bulls into the best defensive team in the league. Also, he has allowed Derrick Rose to have freedom offensively and we have seen how that has turned out.

Just missed the cut: George Karl, Erik Spoelstra.