Mike Budenholzer: Repeat as NBA Coach of the Year?
By John Buhler
Mike Budenholzer’s 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks took the NBA by storm last season in an improbable Eastern Conference Finals run, setting nearly ever franchise record in the books. Can Coach Bud reclaim his NBA Coach of the Year title in 2015-16?
The Atlanta Hawks sent four All-Stars to New York City, won 33 of 36 games at one point during last year’s historic season, earned the Top Seed in the Eastern Conference, won a franchise record 60 regular season games, and the club made it first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals.
-= Atlanta Hawks: Top 5 Rivalries Entering 2015-16 =-
Though surpassing all those accomplishments in 2015-16 seem unlikely for Head Coach Mike Budenholzer and his Atlanta Hawks, expect the team to contend again for Eastern Conference supremacy and a shot at an NBA Championship in 2016.
Live Feed
Betsided
Coach Bud was the fifth Atlanta Hawks Head Coach to win NBA Coach of the Year, joining Richie Guerin, Hubie Brown, Mike Fratello, and Lenny Wilkens. If Mike Budenholzer were to repeat, he would stand as the only head coach to ever receive that honor twice for the Atlanta Hawks franchise. Even if it doesn’t happen next year, I still like Bud’s chances to win another before his tenure in Atlanta comes to an end hopefully many, many years from now.
Mike Budenholzer has put himself in the upper pantheon of NBA head coaches in just two years of work. Outside of his mentor down in San Antonio, one could argue that Bud is the second best coach in the entire Association. He is in that discussion for sure with the likes of Doc Rivers, Steve Kerr, Stan Van Gundy, and Rick Carlisle.
However, repeating as NBA Coach of the Year seems nearly impossible with the league having so many outstanding basketball minds. I could see Golden State’s Steve Kerr, Boston’s Brad Stevens, and Milwaukee’s Jason Kidd winning the Red Auerbach Trophy next year very easily. All three of those coaches are doing incredible work in their respective organizations.
-= Thabo Sefolosha: Hawks’ Best Option for Starting SF? =-
Other intriguing coaches to keep an eye on are Memphis’ Dave Joerger, Houston’s Kevin McHale, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, and Indiana’s Frank Vogel, all of whom know how to navigate deep playoff runs and get the most out of their players.
More from Atlanta Hawks
- Atlanta Hawks Sweep Back-to-Back Games Over Weekend
- Atlanta Hawks Look to Continue Momentum Tonight Against Portland
- Joel Embiid Leads Sixers Over Hawks On Monday Night
- Atlanta Hawks: John Collins Playing His Best Basketball Of Season
- Atlanta Hawks Win Second Straight Against the Dallas Mavericks
So it’s no knock on Mike Budenholzer. It’s just that difficult to repeat as NBA Coach of the Year with the Association having close to twenty incredible basketball minds roaming the sidelines. In my opinion, for Coach Bud reclaim the Red Auerbach Trophy, the 2015-16 Atlanta Hawks will again have to earn the Top Seed in the East, topple LeBron James‘ Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, and play whatever Western Conference juggernaut they meet in the 2016 NBA Finals.
Though that’s not an impossibility, my guess is that Milwaukee’s Jason Kidd wins the award next year for his outstanding work turning around a perpetually mediocre Milwaukee Bucks team. If not Kidd, I could see Steve Kerr claiming the honors even if Golden State doesn’t repeat as NBA Champions. He’s that talented of a basketball coach. I hope I’m wrong but I don’t see Mike Budenholzer repeating as NBA Coach of the Year in 2016.
Next: Elton Brand: Former NBA All-Star Retires
More from ATL All Day
- Atlanta Braves: Felix Has Already Shown Enough to Win a Rotation Spot
- Atlanta Braves Implode Late To Phillies, Cole Hamels Remains Sidelined
- Kyle Wright Shines As Folty Struggles In Atlanta Braves Loss To Red Sox
- Atlanta Hawks Sweep Back-to-Back Games Over Weekend
- Atlanta Braves: Grapefruit League Play Check Up