NBA Coach Of The Year: 2015-16

#1 - Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs)

Gregg Popovich

The 2015-16 San Antonio Spurs will go down in history no matter what. They achieved their best season in franchise history, finishing 67-15, yet second overall and in the West to the relentless Golden State Warriors and overshadowed by Stephen Curry and his defending champions. But you know what? Gregg Popovich probably couldn’t care less. And in that brusque, inimitable way, he has gone about building this new latest chapter in the storied fable of this franchise.

He took the keys to the team and handed them over to the quiet Kawhi Leonard, who’s had a breakout season offensively. LaMarcus Aldridge’s early days in Texas were nothing to rave about, but since the All-Star weekend, he has found his groove and the one-two punch of Leonard and Aldridge has powered the Spurs through.

The Spurs bench, always one of their greatest assets, continues to be just that. Manu Ginobili is still around and Patty Mills and Kyle Anderson offer great ball movement and shooting. Jonathan Simmons has been an Energizer battery coming off the bench.

While the league is moving towards playing faster and with smaller line-ups, Pop has looked the other way, adding size in the form of Aldridge and David West and playing at an almost sloth-like pace in comparison to the others. While others have added youth, he has taken on vets on the bench in the form of Andre Miller and Kevin Martin. Yet none of these moves have been a misstep and the Spurs have continued to chug along and be outgunned only by the sheer brilliance of the Warriors.

And yes, the Spurs did finish first in a few categories over the Warriors. First in opponent’s points per game, a miserly 92.9. They also finished first in defensive rating (96.6) and Net Rating (11.8).

Even if they don’t win the title, this ranks right up there in terms of the best teams that Pop’s ever created.