The NBCA’s Coach of the Year winner was announced on Thursday: Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown received the award.
This is the coaches association’s version of the award. The NBA’s Coach of the Year award will be voted by the media — although Brown will also likely win that, too.
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was one of five coaches to receive vote(s) by the coaches association. The five are Brown, Daigneault, Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer, Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla and New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Earlier this month, Daigneualt revealed he voted for Brown, noting his ability to quickly change the culture and public perception of the Kings in his first season. The Kings are the third seed and made the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Meanwhile, the Thunder are a win away from clinching a playoff berth, which would be quite the accomplishment for a team many thought would finish with top lottery odds.