Despite JB Bickerstaff's best efforts and the Pistons' dominant season, the Celtics' Joe Mazzulla has emerged as a favorite to win the NBA's Coach of the Year award. Bickerstaff has done an incredible job to overcome occasional injuries and maximize his team's strengths this season while maintaining the East's top seed. But Mazzulla's coaching masterclass has elevated Boston to heights considered unimaginable before the season started, and it might be enough to sway most voters.
Bickerstaff has been an excellent coach in his own right and guided the Pistons to wins with his strong defensive principles despite limited offensive resources. But the Pistons were still expected to improve from last season and be a top-4 seed this year, although no one could have expected the top position in the conference. On the other hand, the Celtics have far exceeded expectations after losing star Jayson Tatum and other key pieces - and that often ends up being the deciding factor in COTY voting.
JB Bickerstaff is facing a string of bad luck in the awards ballot
Mazzulla's strong case this year is terrible luck for Bickerstaff, who was second in COTY voting last year. He lost to Kenny Atkinson, who took the Cavaliers from a solid playoff team to a dominant regular season and the East's top seed - ironically exactly what Bickerstaff has done this year. Even though Bickerstaff himself transformed the Pistons from the worst team in the league two years ago to a playoff team last year, he was not awarded with the honor.
This year, Bickerstaff has continued his brilliance by putting his Pistons in the best positions to succeed. Yes, much of their improvement has come from the natural growth of young players. But Bickerstaff has also done a great job of using his players' unique skills very well, especially on the defensive end. Even without any notable offseason additions, the Pistons have jumped from 10th in defensive rating last season to 2nd this season with Bickerstaff's system and the effort he gets from his team.
Joe Mazzulla will be hard to beat this year
And yet Mazzulla retains an edge because of how much the Celtics have destroyed preseason expectations. Few expected them to even be in playoff contention after losing Tatum to an Achilles tear that has kept him out until the last couple weeks, in addition to other pieces. They also traded away two startes in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis last summer.
But Mazzulla's principles of a relentless shooting offense and energetic defense have kept the Celtics as a top 5 team all year long. Even without Tatum, they've dominated the league and Mazzulla rightfully deserves a ton of credit. He's found and developed many diamonds in the rough, while also taking his stars to another level.
It's just unfortunate for JB Bickerstaff that his historic coaching season could go under-appreciated once again.