The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Predicting the NBA Awards Show winners

By Jared Woodcox

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Donovan Mitchell looks on at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Donovan Mitchell looks on at the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JUNE 19: Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens talks to reporters at the grand opening of the new Celtics practice facility, named the Auerbach Center, in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston on June 19, 2018. Located at the New Balance World Headquarters in Brighton, the 70,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art workspace more than doubles the size of the team’s old facility in Waltham. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 19: Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens talks to reporters at the grand opening of the new Celtics practice facility, named the Auerbach Center, in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston on June 19, 2018. Located at the New Balance World Headquarters in Brighton, the 70,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art workspace more than doubles the size of the team’s old facility in Waltham. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Coach of the Year – Brad Stevens

This is another one that’s extremely closely contested. However, I think when all is said and done, Brad Stevens will get the nod. He’s a favorite among the media and the way that he not only kept the Boston Celtics afloat but helped them thrive amidst their onslaught of injuries was extremely impressive.

In some ways, it would be comical to see Dwane Casey win the award, and he very well might. He was touted all season long for having completely revamped his coaching style so that the Raptors could ascend to the top of the Eastern Conference. It worked out incredibly during the regular season, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough once again against LeBron James in the playoffs, and Casey was fired for it.

He’s been hired as the head coach of the Detroit Pistons, so if he wins it, it won’t be as awkward as it would be if he were still seeking employment, but it would still be a little weird.

Unfortunately, I think that Quin Snyder is the least likely of these three to win, though he most certainly shouldn’t be. Snyder once again overcame injury after injury to help guide his team back to the playoffs for a second straight year. And he did it after starting out the season 19-28. Oh yeah, and he managed to be successful while having the sense to put his trust in a rookie and helping the team excel around him.

The fact that Utah managed to nab the fifth seed in the West amidst so many obstacles was an incredible feat. Quin Snyder has proven himself as one of basketball’s best minds ten times over and has every right to win this award.

I do think he’s very much in the running, and would love to see him come out on top. However, I believe when all is said and done, Stevens will hoist the trophy. He’s a phenomenal coach himself and certainly the most followed among the media members that voted. Stevens is deserving of the nod, but my preference would still be to see Snyder come out on top.

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