Gregg Popovich has been named the 2012 Coach Of The Year after guiding his San Antonio Spurs to a 50-16 record in a lockout-shortened season. Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers finished fifth, receiving 14 votes (one first-place vote, four second-place votes and nine third-place votes) for 26 points.
Tom Thibodeau came in second with 315 points and received 27 first-place votes. Frank Vogel of the Indiana Pacers placed third with 161 points and Lionel Hollins of the Memphis Grizzlies (50 points).
Rivers is a one-time Coach Of The Year recipient after guiding the Orlando Magic to the playoffs in 2000 after they were picked to finish last that year.
One could make an argument that this was Rivers' best coaching job. Heading into the All-Star break, the Celtics were 15-17 and on the verge of being out of the playoff picture. Rivers guided the team to a tremendous 24-10 record (best in the NBA) in the second half, and the team finished with the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. All throughout, Rivers had to deal with constant injuries, including the loss of two players (Jeff Green and Chris Wilcox) to heart-related ailments.
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