Boston's Ime Udoka rated 3rd most likely to win Coach of the Year by ESPN panel

https://celticswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/17/nba-boston-celtics-udoka-coty/



Boston's Ime Udoka rated 3rd most likely to win Coach of the Year by ESPN panel



Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports


By Justin Quinn | September 17, 2021 11:26 am ET


New Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is viewed as likely to finish his inaugural season in his new role among the very best in the league in some corners. A panel of ESPN experts picked the Portland native among the top three coaches likely to win the NBA’s coveted 2021-22 Coach of Year award.

Udoka finished third overall in the voting with 16% of first-place votes and 16 points overall, trailing coaches Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat (23 points and 5.6% of the first-place votes) and Steve Nash of the Brooklyn Nets (22 points and 22.2% of the first-place votes), but ranking ahead of Quin Snyder, coach of the Utah Jazz (14 points and 5.6% of first-place votes).

With a revamped roster and a front office signaling a willingness to spend if success warrants and about as solid of a record as a first-time head coach can have on ascending to the position, Udoka has a real puncher’s chance to land the award if everything breaks Boston’s way this season.


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