In a stunning turn of events, Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson has emerged as the National Basketball Coaches Association's Coach of the Year. Atkinson's leadership spearheaded an incredible turnaround for the Cavaliers, propelling them to the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a remarkable 64-18 record, the team's first 60-win season since 2009-10. This achievement is made even more impressive by the fact that Atkinson accomplished it without having LeBron James on the roster, a testament to his coaching prowess and ability to maximize his team's potential.
Among the other notable coaches receiving votes for Coach of the Year were J.B. Bickerstaff of the Pistons, Mark Daigneault of the Thunder, Michael Malone of the Nuggets, and Ime Udoka of the Rockets. Bickerstaff led the Pistons to their first playoff appearance since 2019, Daigneault's Thunder dominated the regular season with a league-best record of 68-14, Udoka's Rockets exceeded expectations by securing the second spot in the tough Western Conference, and Malone, despite being fired late in the season, still received recognition for his contributions to the Nuggets' success as the fourth seed in the West. Atkinson's well-deserved accolade highlights his outstanding coaching abilities and the impact he has had on transforming the Cavaliers into a formidable force in the NBA.