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

New Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is seen as likely to finish his inaugural season in his new role among the very best in the league in some corners, with a panel of ESPN experts picking the Portland native in 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), 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 both 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.

This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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