For the second time in his career, and a decade apart, Tom Thibodeau was named the NBA's Coach of the Year on Monday.
The New York Knicks coach, who led the team he grew up watching to a 20-win improvement this season, edged out Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams by a total of 11 points, while Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder finished third. It was the second time Thibodeau won the award in his first year with a new team, after doing so with the Chicago Bulls in 2011.
Williams actually had more first-place votes (45) than Thibodeau and was named on 96 ballots to Thibodeau's 95. But Thibodeau edged him out by virtue of getting several more second-place votes.
The New York Knicks coach, who led the team he grew up watching to a 20-win improvement this season, edged out Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams by a total of 11 points, while Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder finished third. It was the second time Thibodeau won the award in his first year with a new team, after doing so with the Chicago Bulls in 2011.
Williams actually had more first-place votes (45) than Thibodeau and was named on 96 ballots to Thibodeau's 95. But Thibodeau edged him out by virtue of getting several more second-place votes.