The NBA season has been full of surprises so far. The Denver Nuggets are currently number one in the Western Conference with a 27-12 record while the Los Angeles Clippers are fourth, winning 24 of their 40 games so far.
What's more impressive is that both teams were able to achieve winning records without any All-Stars (Yes, Isaiah Thomas is a former All-Star, but he hasn't played for Denver yet).
One NBA player has recognized the success of the Clippers and the Nuggets, and gave an early endorsement for both their coaches.
Mike Malone coach of the year so far. No one would've had Denver # 1 in the West at this point.
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) January 11, 2019
Doc is right there too. He has the Clippers rolling.
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) January 11, 2019
It's hard to argue with Crawford's picks, as both teams have been really impressive so far.
Clippers head coach Doc Rivers has already won the said award in the 1999-2000 season, when he led the Orlando Magic to a 41-41 record. Ironically, he did not get the same accolade when he led the Boston Celtics to a championship in 2008.
Nuggets head coach Mike Malone hasn't won the award yet, but if Denver continues to remain on top of the West, it's most likely that the award will be given to him.
The Eastern Conference also has intriguing candidates in Milwaukee Bucks' Mike Budenholzer, Toronto Raptors' Nick Nurse, and Boston Celtics' Brad Stevens.
Of course, there are also the former winners in Golden State Warriors' Steve Kerr, Houston Rockets' Mike D'Antoni, and San Antonio Spurs' Gregg Popovich, who can all lead their team to a late-season surge.
But for now, it is safe to say that Crawford's choices are both very very deserving to win the Coach of the Year honors.