For the second time in his career, Mike Budenholzer is the NBA Coach of the Year after leading the Milwaukee Bucks to the league's best record during the regular season.
Budenholzer beat out Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets and Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers for the honor.
Budenholzer was hired by the Bucks in May 2018, three weeks after he parted ways with the Atlanta Hawks.
The Bucks went from a mid-tier Eastern Conference franchise to the best team in the NBA overnight. They won 60 games for the fifth time in franchise history and first time since 1980-81.
The Bucks went from 25th in three-point attempts per game in 2017-18 (24.7) to second with 38.2 this season. Even though their percentage actually went down (35.5 to 35.3), the increased attempts helped the offense lead the league in points per game (118.1) and rank fourth in efficiency.
For all of the attention the team's offensive philosophy got, the Bucks also led the NBA in defensive efficiency (105.2 points allowed per 100 possessions).
The biggest difference Budenholzer made was unlocking the full potential in Giannis Antetokounmpo. The 24-year-old set career highs with 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game.
In an excellent year for coaches around the NBA, Budenholzer was the clear standout for everything he brought to the Bucks. The 49-year-old made himself one of the league's best coaches during his five seasons with the Hawks, which included a 60-win campaign and Coach of the Year in 2014-15.
Budenholzer beat out Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets and Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers for the honor.
Budenholzer was hired by the Bucks in May 2018, three weeks after he parted ways with the Atlanta Hawks.
The Bucks went from a mid-tier Eastern Conference franchise to the best team in the NBA overnight. They won 60 games for the fifth time in franchise history and first time since 1980-81.
The Bucks went from 25th in three-point attempts per game in 2017-18 (24.7) to second with 38.2 this season. Even though their percentage actually went down (35.5 to 35.3), the increased attempts helped the offense lead the league in points per game (118.1) and rank fourth in efficiency.
For all of the attention the team's offensive philosophy got, the Bucks also led the NBA in defensive efficiency (105.2 points allowed per 100 possessions).
The biggest difference Budenholzer made was unlocking the full potential in Giannis Antetokounmpo. The 24-year-old set career highs with 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game.
In an excellent year for coaches around the NBA, Budenholzer was the clear standout for everything he brought to the Bucks. The 49-year-old made himself one of the league's best coaches during his five seasons with the Hawks, which included a 60-win campaign and Coach of the Year in 2014-15.