Though the Golden State Warriors have been ravaged by injuries, fans remain confident that they could make a fourth consecutive NBA Finals run. It’s understandable considering the level of talent on that roster—the Warriors boast four All-Stars and two former MVPs, so of course they’re still a favorite to run through the playoffs.
The confidence is also understandable because Golden State has one of the best coaches in the league. Though coaching matters less in the NBA (where star power is the ultimate deciding factor) than in the college ranks, it remains a vital component of the game—especially when the stakes are maximized in the postseason.
In the 2017 NBA Playoffs, the depleted Boston Celtics somehow advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals and (sort of) hung in there with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the Western Conference semifinals, the San Antonio Spurs shut down a promising Houston Rockets season and practically neutralized MVP finalist James Harden.
These examples speak to the following revolutionary statement: If you have a great coach, you have a better chance of winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Several coaches leading current NBA squads–like Gregg Popovich–will likely be remembered as all-time greats. Other teams, however, have questionable leaders at the helm, coaches who might not even hold onto their jobs next season. The two No. 1 seeds, the Raptors and Rockets, have had incredible regular seasons, and their coaches’ jobs certainly aren’t in danger—but they’re searching for previously unseen postseason success to legitimize their resumes.
How do the 16 coaches in this year’s NBA postseason stack up? Below, Complex Sports shares our perspective on the most and least valuable coaches in this year’s playoffs.