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The 2022-23 NBA season is right around the corner, which means it’s time to determine your predictions for the season. This includes the race for NBA Coach of the Year and other popular individual awards.
The odds for the best NBA coach for the upcoming season are already out, so I want to share my analysis and prediction. The goal is to help you find the best NBA Coach of the Year betting pick for 2022-23.
2022-23 NBA Coach of the Year Betting Odds
- Chris Finch; +500
- Taylor Jenkins; +800
- Tyronn Lue; +900
- Jason Kidd; +1000
- Michael Malone; +1200
- Willie Green; +1200
- JB Bickerstaff; +1400
- Nick Nurse; +1600
Chris Finch, who coaches the Minnesota Timberwolves, holds the top spot in the early betting odds. After a solid season in 2021-22, many are now expecting Finch to take his team to the next level and contend in the West.
Taylor Jenkins and Ty Lue are closely trailing Finch in the betting odds. Lue is the most interesting candidate because the Clippers should have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George fully healthy for 2022-23.
Chris Finch
- Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
- Head Coaching Record: 62-61
- Years With the Team: 2
2021-22 was a breakout year for the Timberwolves, and now the expectation is to fight for the Western Conference title. Last season, Chris Finch led Minnesota to only its second postseason appearance since 2004.
Finch initially joined the team midway through the 2020-21 season after Minnesota got off to a 16-25 start. Once he had an entire offseason to prepare and implement his system, the Timberwolves saw a lot more success.
Minnesota ranked seventh in offensive efficiency in 2021-22, and the defense was also better than the previous season. There’s no denying that the team’s heading in the right direction under Finch, who’s got a lot of people believing in him.
Unprompted this morning, #Timberwolves coach Chris Finch cited Jaylen Nowell as being a big part of any step forward they take next season. Here are his comments: pic.twitter.com/KUtIiS5BxH
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) June 28, 2022
Let’s also not forget that the roster in Minnesota is loaded with talented players. The starting lineup includes Anthony Edwards, Karl Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, and D’Angelo Russell. In 2022-23, the sky is the limit for the Timberwolves.
Taylor Jenkins
- Team: Memphis Grizzlies
- Head Coaching Record: 128-99
- Years With the Team: 3
The Memphis Grizzlies were the biggest surprise in 2021-22, finishing the year with a record of 56-26. Jenkins led the team to an appearance in the Western Conference Semifinals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
Although Ja Morant is blossoming into an NBA superstar, the Grizzlies are also pretty good when he’s not playing. In 2021-22, Morant missed 25 games, yet Memphis went 20-5 during that stretch. The team right now is well-rounded, which is a testament to Jenkins’ leadership.
Last season, the Grizzlies were on top of the Southwest Division standings for the first time in franchise history. Expectations are now at an all-time high, but Jenkins has the team firing on all cylinders. Memphis could even contend for an NBA Championship this season.
Tyronn Lue
- Team: Los Angeles Clippers
- Head Coaching Record: 217-148
- Years With the Team: 2
Tyronn Lue is someone you have to consider when betting on the 2022-23 NBA Coach of the Year. Everyone remembers he previously led the Cavaliers to an NBA title in 2015-16. It’s the same year that Cleveland fired its coach midway through the season when Lue took over.
Now that he’s with the Los Angeles Clippers, Lue is in a great position to succeed. The roster includes Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, two of the best players in the NBA. With the Clippers at full strength, they should be competitive with the rest of the Western Conference.
Let’s also not forget that injuries have hampered the Clippers under Lue’s tenure as head coach. Even when his best players are absent, Lue is good enough of a coach to win plenty of games. He has a .577 winning percentage during his two seasons with Los Angeles.
2022 NBA Coach of the Year Sleepers
As I mentioned earlier, this particular award is difficult to predict, which is why you should pay attention to a few sleepers. I advise you to look at everyone in the best position to capture NBA Coach of the Year in 2022-23.
- Erik Spoelstra (+2000). It’s unbelievable to me that Spoelstra has yet to win a Coach of the Year award. He’s been with Miami since 2008 and won two NBA titles. He’s arguably the most deserving of the award when it comes to coaches who’ve never won.
- Dwane Casey (+3300). Here’s someone who could surprise a lot of people and capture the award in 2022-23. If Casey can rejuvenate the Pistons, he’ll be a top contender for Coach of the Year.
- Mike Brown (+2800). Brown is the new head coach for Sacramento – a team that’s failed to make the playoffs since 2007. It’s currently the longest active drought for any team in American sports.
Keep in mind that Coach of the Year is often awarded to someone who exceeds expectations. The award can also go to someone who has the best record. For example, Steve Kerr won Coach of the Year for winning the most games ever in a regular season (73) back in 2015-16.
NBA Coach of the Year Betting Pick for 2022-23
I really like Tyronn Lue for my 2022-23 NBA Coach of the Year winner prediction. The Clippers have all the pieces in place to deliver an outstanding season. I also expect Leonard and George to establish one of the best duos in the NBA in 2022-23.
- My Prediction: Tyronn Lue; +900
We’ve also written about the most overrated NBA teams and offered our bold predictions for the 2022-23 season. I recommend that you check out some of our other content for information on this year’s top contenders as well as sleeper teams.
