Thunder's Mark Daigneault Named 2023-24 Coach of The Year

Photo: Instagram/Mark Daigneault

Mark Daigneault, the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, has been named the NBA Coach of the Year for the 2023-24 season. Under his guidance, the Thunder achieved the remarkable feat of finishing first in the Western Conference, making them the youngest team ever to clinch such a position in either conference.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an All-Star guard for the Thunder, initially joked about Daigneault's coaching style, describing him as "annoying" and "always nagging." However, he later praised Daigneault for his unwavering standards and his ability to hold every player accountable, regardless of their status on the team.

Daigneault, at 39 years old, becomes only the second coach in Thunder history to win the Coach of the Year award, following Scott Brooks in 2010. He edged out finalists Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic.

Photo: Instagram/Mark Daigneault

Doc Rivers, head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, lauded Daigneault's achievement, highlighting the difficulty of cultivating a winning culture with a young team.

Daigneault's journey to success began in the G-League, where he spent five years as a head coach, boasting an impressive winning record and multiple playoff appearances. He took over as head coach of the Thunder in 2020, inheriting a rebuilding team from Billy Donovan.

Despite a challenging start, Daigneault gradually led the Thunder to significant improvement, culminating in a standout season with a 57-25 record and a top seed in the West. His success is attributed not only to the exceptional talent on the team but also to his effective communication skills and commitment to collaboration.


Players like Jalen Williams have commended Daigneault's approachability and dedication to the game, emphasizing the coach's extensive preparation and willingness to listen to input from everyone involved.

Daigneault, in response, emphasizes the collective effort of the team, underscoring the importance of collaboration in achieving success on the court.

Overall, Daigneault's recognition as Coach of the Year reflects his ability to inspire and lead a young team to surpass expectations, setting a strong foundation for the Thunder's future endeavors.

Read Next: Timberwolves Coach Chris Finch Suffers Knee Injury After Collision

Source: NBA 

Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Now

Karl-Anthony Towns Named NBA Social Justice Champion For 2023-24 Season

Image
Photo: Instagram/Karl-Anthony Towns Minnesota Timberwolves' star player Karl-Anthony Towns has been named the 2023-24 NBA Social Justice Champion. He will be awarded the prestigious Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trophy for his dedication to social justice causes. Towns stood out among five finalists for his commitment to equality, respect, and inclusion, values upheld by Abdul-Jabbar and the NBA. Towns played a crucial role in advocating for voting rights, particularly in the passage of Minnesota's Restore the Vote bill. This bipartisan legislation restored the right to vote for thousands of previously incarcerated individuals. He actively engaged with key organizations and community discussions, emphasizing the importance of every citizen's voice in democracy. The passage of the bill in March 2023 marked a significant milestone, benefiting over 55,000 Minnesotans upon its implementation in July 2023. Towns' involvement extended beyond voting rights, as he supported initiatives
Read More

Holmgren Endorses Gilgeous-Alexander For NBA MVP After Dominant Game 2

Image
Photo: Instagram/Chet Holmgren Chet Holmgren , a teammate of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , stole the spotlight after an electrifying Game 2 performance by the Thunder guard.  Gilgeous-Alexander led his team to a commanding 124-92 victory over the Pelicans with a stellar 33-point display.  In a post-game interview with TNT's Allie LaForce, Holmgren passionately endorsed Gilgeous-Alexander for the NBA MVP title, even grabbing the microphone to emphasize his point. Photo: Instagram/Chet Holmgren Despite Gilgeous-Alexander's modest reaction, his performance speaks volumes, with 17 of his 33 points coming in the second half, along with five assists and three rebounds.  This stellar showing adds to his impressive track record, including a team-leading 28 points in Game 1. The Thunder's Game 2 victory was historic, marking the first time in NBA playoff history that all points were scored by players aged 25 and under.  "He's too humble to say it, but this is the MVP right here
Read More

London Boxer Sherif Lawal Dies After Collapsing In Ring During Professional Debut

Image
Photo: Instagram/Sherif Lawal London-based boxer Sherif Lawal tragically passed away after collapsing in the ring during his professional debut on Sunday.  The 29-year-old was knocked down by Portuguese opponent Malam Varela in the fourth round of their middleweight bout at Harrow Leisure Centre.  Lawal received immediate treatment from paramedics at the scene and was rushed to the hospital but was later pronounced dead.  Photo: Instagram/Sherif Lawal The British Boxing Board of Control expressed their condolences to Lawal's family, stating, "Condolences to the family of Sherif Lawal following his tragic passing."  Warren Boxing Management, Lawal's representatives, also offered their sympathies, saying, "We would like to send our condolences to all of Sherif’s family, friends, coaches and all those close to him at this tragic time.” Read Next: Jayson Tatum Equals Michael Jordan In Playoff Milestone! Source: BBC Sports  
Read More

Kambosos Jr. Vs. Garcia: Feud Escalates To Street Fight Challenge!

Image
Photo: Instagram/George Kambosos Jr. In the latest twist to the boxing saga, George Kambosos Jr. has thrown down the gauntlet to Ryan Garcia , labeling him a "cheating dog" and challenging him to a street brawl.  This fiery exchange comes hot on the heels of Kambosos's defeat to Vasyl Lomachenko , where he missed his shot at the IBF lightweight title.  Garcia's taunts post-fight sparked the feud, with Kambosos hitting back hard, accusing Garcia of past doping and weigh-in failures.  Photo: Instagram/George Kambosos Jr. The challenge to a street fight adds fuel to the fire, leaving fans wondering if Garcia will accept.  Despite the setback, Kambosos Jr. eyes future matchups, but his clash with Garcia could reshape his path in the ring.  George Kambosos firing back at Ryan Garcia today… pic.twitter.com/Fgpb2mQlOd — Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 12, 2024 With tensions running high, the lightweight division braces for explosive times ahead. Read Next: Rising
Read More

Former UFC Star Mike Perry Turns Down Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Undercard Fight Due To Low Pay

Image
Photo: Instagram/Mike Perry Mike Perry, a former UFC standout, has declined the chance to box on the undercard of the much-anticipated Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event. Perry revealed that he was offered a bout against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the son of boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez, slated for July 20.  Despite the significant exposure he would have gained from appearing on a Netflix card headlined by two boxing giants, Perry cited inadequate compensation as the reason for rejecting the offer. In an interview with The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Perry expressed his interest in participating on the Mike Tyson Netflix card for the exposure it would bring.  However, he emphasized that the financial aspect, particularly given the caliber of his potential opponent, did not meet his expectations. Perry revealed that he had another option with higher pay and more promising incentives, ultimately leading him to decline the Chavez Jr. bout. Photo: Instagram/Mike Perry Perry's departure
Read More

Dana White's Social Media Post Leads To FedEx Driver's Dismissal

Image
Photo: Instagram/Dana White A recent social media post by UFC president Dana White has resulted in the firing of a FedEx driver after a video went viral showing the employee mishandling packages.  In the video shared by White, the FedEx worker can be seen carelessly throwing packages into the back of a truck while White jokes about the scene.  The footage, which was posted on White's social media account, drew attention to the worker's behavior, prompting FedEx to take action. Photo: Instagram/Dana White According to TMZ, the company stated that the behavior exhibited in the video was unacceptable and did not align with their commitment to professionalism and customer service. As a result, the driver is no longer employed by FedEx.  While it remains unclear whether the driver was following proper protocol or how the incident may have impacted the packages, FedEx emphasized their dedication to treating customers' packages with care.  FedEx driver fired after Dana White film
Read More

Timberwolves' Gobert Fined $75K For Referee Gesture In Playoff Clash

Image
Photo: Instagram/Rudy Gobert Minnesota Timberwolves' big man, Rudy Gobert , found himself in hot water after flashing a cash sign at NBA referees during Game 4 of their playoff series against the Denver Nuggets.  The NBA swiftly responded by slapping him with a hefty $75,000 fine, deeming his gesture inappropriate and unprofessional.  This isn't the first time Gobert has clashed with referees; earlier in the season, he received a $100,000 fine for the same gesture.  Photo: Instagram/Rudy Gobert Despite being known for his defensive prowess , Gobert's impact hasn't been as significant in the playoffs, with the Timberwolves struggling to maintain their defensive edge.  With the series tied, Gobert faces pressure to step up his game as the Timberwolves prepare to take on the Nuggets in Game 5. The following was released by the NBA: pic.twitter.com/KAGG2iIaSr — NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 14, 2024 Read Next: Bronny James Shines In Shooting Drills Despite Height Setb
Read More

Kylian Mbappe Announces Departure From PSG: Set To Join Real Madrid

Image
Photo: Instagram/Kylian Mbappe Kylian Mbappe , the star forward for Paris St-Germain, has declared his departure from the club at the close of the current season. In a heartfelt video shared on his social media platforms, the 25-year-old confirmed his decision, expressing gratitude for his time with PSG, where he became the club's leading goal scorer.  With his contract set to end in June, reports from BBC Sport suggest Mbappe has already sealed a deal to join Real Madrid in the upcoming summer transfer window. Born in Paris, Mbappe joined PSG in 2017 from Monaco for a staggering fee of £165.7m.  He reminisced about his growth both as a player and as a person during his tenure with the French giants. Despite the emotional farewell, Mbappe expressed excitement for a new challenge after spending seven remarkable years with PSG. Photo: Instagram/Kylian Mbappe The road to his departure saw twists and turns, including negotiations over contract extensions and flirtations with other club
Read More

Bronny James Shines In Shooting Drills Despite Height Setback at 2024 NBA Draft Combine

Image
Photo: Instagram/Bronny James In the ongoing saga of the NBA Draft Combine, size continues to play a significant role, influencing the fates of young prospects hoping to make it big in the league. This year's event showcased a mix of surprises and disappointments, none more notable than Bronny James , son of NBA icon LeBron James . Bronny James, previously listed at a solid 6-foot-4 during his college stint at USC, fell short in height measurements at the combine, coming in at 6-foot-1.5 without shoes. However, he quickly shifted the narrative with an impressive display of shooting prowess, reminiscent of basketball legend Larry Bird. James excelled in the 3-point shooting drill, finishing second among all participants, demonstrating his potential despite his stature. While James' performance left analysts pondering his draft prospects, other standout measurements drew attention. Providence's Devin Carter stole the spotlight with his exceptional athleticism, boasting record
Read More

Lomachenko Clinches IBF Lightweight Title With 11th Round Victory Over Kambosos In Perth

Image
Photo: Instagram/Vasiliy Lomachenko Vasiliy Lomachenko seized the IBF lightweight title by defeating George Kambosos Jr in the 11th round at the RAC Arena in Perth. Making a comeback after a year-long break, Lomachenko dominated the fight, ultimately dropping Kambosos with a series of body shots in the penultimate round. The match drew in 14,147 fans, witnessing Lomachenko's stellar performance as he outlanded Kambosos by a significant margin of 175-40, as per Compubox's punch stats. Photo: Instagram/Vasiliy Lomachenko In response to a mid-fight tweet from Gervonta Davis hinting at a potential future bout, Lomachenko expressed his willingness to consider it, stating, "After I rest a little bit, we can talk about the future." Kambosos, who rose to fame with his upset victory over Teófimo López in 2021, acknowledged Lomachenko's prowess, conceding, "This guy is one of the best of all time. We tried our best, but he’s a good champion. He deserves that belt. I
Read More