NBA Coach of the Year: 5 Early Frontrunners for the 2018-19 Season

#1 Brad Stevens

Boston Celtics v Cleveland Cavaliers - Game Six

It is one thing to go unrecognized as Coach of the Year, but the fact that Brad Stevens did not receive votes from any of his peers as the best in the NBA is nothing short of travesty, misguided opinion and possibly, a prejudice from the incumbents against the newcomers. At several points last season, the Boston Celtics' season looked to be destined for a free fall.

And yet, using unconventional tactics game after game in a stretch at the end of the regular season campaign when the Cs didn't have Gordon Hayward, Kyrie and Al Horford (their 3 best players), they still managed to eke out Ws after Ws. Guerschlon Yabusele, Shane Larkin and Semi Ojeleye were significant contributors to this team of misfits waiting for their leaders to come back.

For what it's worth, Stevens was the Coach of the Year for 2017-18 in most onlookers' eyes, and it wasn't even close. Stevens, a college coach who led Butler University to 2 NCAA championship appearances despite not having top-50 recruits at any point, has transitioned his coaching success from the college scene to the NBA with remarkable success. Every player who's ever played under him has been able to perform up to their potential, and young players have improved ever so fast under him.

It is no coincidence, for instance, that Jaylen Brown made the huge second-year leap that he did. It is also no coincidence that the Celtics snagged the #1 seed in the East with Isaiah Thomas finishing 5th in MVP voting in 2016-17. The Celtics are a class organization, and Brad Stevens is the perfect on-court executor they've found in their vision of recreating their dynastic years from the olden days.

With Hayward, Kyrie and Horford together, possibly alongside Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum making big leaps this year as part of the starting lineup, the Celtics might just have their own All-Star lineup to answer Golden State's lineup with. With that being said, if the Celtics crack 60 wins, or *gasp* 65, there is absolutely no reason for the media to begrudge Brad Stevens of the 2018-19 Coach of the Year award that will rightfully be his.