Spurs heach coach Gregg Popovich has won his second career "Coach of the Year" award, which is a well-deserved honor. He led the Spurs to the West's best record without Manu Ginobili and an aging Tim Duncan getting a lot more rest than in the past. If I had to hand out the votes, I'd probably put him first, slightly ahead of Tom Thibodeau and Doc Rivers, who would be in a tie for second in my mind.
But Doc didn't finish second. Or third. He finished fifth.
Rivers earned 26 points with 1 first-place vote, 4 second-place votes, and 9 third-place votes. San Antonio's Gregg Popovich won the Red Auerbach Trophy with 467 points (77 first-place votes), while Chicago's Tom Thibodeau was second at 315 points (27 first-place votes). Indiana's Frank Vogel (161 points) and Memphis' Lionel Hollins (50 points) joined Rivers in rounding out the top 5.
I think what Doc flying way under the radar if he's finishing behind Hollins & Vogel. Don't get me wrong, I think they did fine jobs. The Pacers went from the 8th seed last year to the 3rd seed this year. The Grizzlies stayed afloat in a tough Western Conference without Zach Randolph for most of the year. But Doc dealt with more injuries and more adversity to return the Celtics to any prominence.
Oh well. We in Boston recognize the masterful job Doc has done… even if the rest of the league isn't valuing it as highly as we are.
did lot more rest than in the past. If I had to hand out the votes, I'd probably put him first, slightly ahead of Tom Thibodeau and Doc Rivers, who would be in a tie for second in my mind.
But Doc didn't finish sec
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