Listing the 5 best NBA coaches heading into the 2022-23 season
Having the right coach is one of the biggest needs for an NBA team as having superstar-caliber players alone won't get the job done. The proof is in the pudding as two of the greatest players of all time in Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant did not win a championship without Phil Jackson at the helm.
The duties of coaches are vast, and they are priceless to teams as the front office has to work in tandem with their coaches to get the maximum out of the roster. The man-management skills are also invaluable as they are dealing with players who are, at the end of the day, humans.
With that said, here are the five best coaches heading into the next season.
#5. Jason Kidd
Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd established himself as one of the best coaches in the league this season. The Mavericks, led by him and Luka Doncic, reached the Western Conference finals after dethroning last year's NBA runner-up, the Phoenix Suns.
Some of our favorite press conference moments with Coach Kidd 🤣
@RealJasonKidd | #MFFL https://t.co/gkB2dReYuF
Very few people gave the Mavericks a chance to make it deep into the postseason this year, but Kidd rallied the troops to reach the Western Conference finals. Without another All-Star besides Doncic, Kidd utilized the Slovenian's capabilities better than anyone else. He surrounded him with shooters as they spaced the floor better than almost any other team.
#4. Steve Kerr
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr won his fourth ring as a head coach this season. The Warriors, led by Kerr, have reached the NBA Finals six times in the past eight years, winning four championships. Having played for coaches like Phil Jackson and Gregg Poppovich, Kerr seems to have picked the best out of them and deployed it.
Congrats to Head Coach Steve Kerr of the @warriors for moving up to 9th on the All-Time Playoff Coaching Wins list! #NBA75 https://t.co/I9GWZsZIiu
While having Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green helps make his job easier, the system and the Warriors' high-tempo pattern is down to Kerr.
#3. Erik Spoelstra
An extension of Pat Riley on the sidelines, Erik Spoelstra is certainly a winner within. The Miami Heat coach has time and again proven to be one of the best in the business with his in-game changes and ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Erik Spoelstra has now been named NBA Coach of the Month a franchise-record 9 times 😎
Here's what the squad achieved under Spo during a turbulent December stretch ⬇️
Spoelstra has led the Heat to two championships and has reached the NBA Finals and the Eastern Conference finals in the last three seasons. Despite not possessing a bonafide MVP-caliber player, Spoelstra continued to get the maximum out of those at his disposal.