Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra were named Sunday as co-recipients of the inaugural National Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year Award.
The labor group for NBA coaches began the award, voted upon by the league’s 30 head coaches, to honor coaches who guide players to higher levels and show dedication to community service.
Nine NBA coaches received votes this year from their peers.
“Congratulations to Mike and Erik on their outstanding work this year,” Dallas Mavericks coach and association president Rick Carlisle said.
D’Antoni guided the Rockets to 55 wins, third-best in the NBA, and Houston’s up-tempo attack, powered by James Harden, saw the Rockets to a one-season NBA record 1,181 3-point baskets.
Under Spoelstra, the Heat went 41-41, barely missing the NBA playoffs. Miami made the greatest second-half improvement in an NBA season in history, going from 11-30 at mid-season to 30-11 the rest of the way.
And the fightback came despite the Heat losing a league-high 328 player games to injury or illness.
The NBA Coach of the Year Award, voted upon by a media panel, will be presented June 26 at the first NBA Awards Show in New York.
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