Spurs' Gregg Popovich Named 2012 NBA Coach of the Year

The San Antonio Spurs finished with a league best 50-16 record during the regular season and that can be largely credited to Gregg Popovich’s brilliant coaching.

Fortunately, he is going to be recognized for doing such an excellent job by being honored with the 2012 NBA Coach of the Year award.

Update: 3:10 p.m. ET

Al Iannazzone of New York Newsday reported that Popovich has officially won the award. 

According to Mike Monroe of The San Antonio Express, the 16-year veteran coach will be announced as the winner this afternoon.

It will be Pop’s second time earning the distinction; his first came back in 2003, when he led San Antonio to a 60-22 record and eventually captured his second of four championships during his reign.

The 63-year-old coach is the most decorated in the history of the franchise and continually keeps them competitive despite dealing with fading stars, injuries and playing in a relatively unattractive locale for free agents.

Other candidates for the award this year were Chicago’s Tom Thibodeau, who coached the Bulls to the same record as the Spurs and dealt with Derrick Rose injuries throughout the season; Stan Van Gundy, who kept the Magic competitive in spite of the Dwight Howard drama; and Ty Corbin, who somehow led the rebuilding Jazz into the postseason.

Considering how he navigated an aging roster through a treacherous stretch of 66 games in approximately 120 days, Poppovich was definitely the most deserving of the award.

The way he massaged his rotation and limited Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and the rest of the rosters’ minutes and games played—while still capturing the No. 1 seed in the West—was nothing short of remarkable.

San Antonio will continue their quest for a fifth championship with Pop at the helm on Wednesday against the Jazz. They already have a one-game lead in the series and are looking to advance past the conference semifinals for the first time since 2010.

Without Gregg Popovich, this roster would be a borderline playoff squad. With him, well they are a legitimate championship contender.  That is why he is the coach of the year in 2012.