Chicago Bulls’ coach Tom Thibodeau named the NBA Coach of the Year 2011
As a testament to his untiring and innovative efforts in guiding the Chicago Bulls to the league’s best record (62-20) in the regular season, Coach Tom Thibodeau
was honoured with the ‘NBA Coach of the Year’ on Sunday afternoon. The 53-year-old Thibodeau has been incredibly instrumental in his first year with the Bulls and has transformed them into a championship contender.
"I'm flattered, humbled and honoured to receive this award, but I think it represents a lot more than just me. And it certainly reflects our team winning and our
entire organization." Thibodeau said after receiving the award.
Fuelled by the brilliance of Thibodeau, Chicago had a phenomenal season, one which they finished at the top of the Eastern Conference for the first time since 1998,
eclipsing the likes of Miami Heat and Boston Celtics on the way.
Tom received 76 first-place votes and 475 points to clinch the first rank. Philadelphia 76ers coach Dough Collins acquired the second spot followed by 18 first-place
vote and 210 points whereas San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich finished third.
Tom also shares the reputation as one of the three NBA coaches to amass at least 60 wins in the first year as a head coach. He is famous for his defensive strategies
and now has proven to the whole league that not only can he handle the duties of a head coach effectively, he is the best at it. Thibodeau’s only head coaching experience prior to this was for one season in the mid 1980’s, when he served for three years as
an assistant at his alma mater, Division 3 Salem State.
Thibodeau replaced Vinny Del Negro as Chicago’s coach in June 2010. From that very time, Thibodeau transformed the Bulls into giant, one that has again unravelled
the nostalgia of a championship in the windy city.
Chicago’s centre Joakim Noah said on Sunday, "[I'm] very happy for him. Very well deserving. Coach is one of the hardest workers I've ever been around. He stays in
late. He's the first one here. He was here for me all summer, working me out, and I feel like I really improved as a player because of him in just one year."
Previously, Thibodeau won an NBA title with the Boston Celtics in 2008 while he was serving as an assistant to the Hall of famer Doc Rivers. However, the dynamic
coach has his sights fixed on the Championship and is willing to take down his mentor’s team, if need arises.
Under Thibodeau, not only the big guns of the Bulls fired but a tremendous team chemistry also developed in the team, making them one of the favourites to nab the
Larry O'Brien Trophy this season. His biggest achievement came in the shape of the third year point-guard, Derrick Rose. Under Tom, Rose has completed his journey from a boy to a man and he is now on the cusp of beating the likes of LeBron James and Dwight
Howard for the MVP award.
If Rose wins the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award this year that will be announced shortly, Tom and Derrick will become the 12th duo in the league’s history
to wrap up both the awards.
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