Recent off a marketing campaign for Coach of the 12 months, Mark Daigneault continues to obtain his flowers forward of the 2024-25 season. That is a part of the territory the place he should assist construct a title contender within the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
CBS Sports activities has ranked all of the 30 head coaches in preparation for the upcoming season. Sam Quinn Daigneault ranked Daigneault because the Sixth-best coach within the league. He categorized the 39-year-old as a “Wunderkind” with Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy.
Quinn notes that Daigneault is just ranked No. 6 as a result of the 5 coaches forward of him — Erik Spoelstra, Nick Nurse, Rick Carlisle, Steve Kerr and Ty Lue — have longer lists of accolades. Nonetheless, there is a good likelihood Daigneault will rapidly surpass them if the Thunder continues to have success as a title contender.
“The Thunder had been one in all solely two groups (with Boston) to complete within the high 5 in each offensive and defensive ranking final season. They had been the youngest No. 1 seed ever. They had been far and away the perfect “after-the-timeout” offense within the NBA final season, outscoring everybody by practically two factors per 100 possessions. Extra importantly, Daigneault confirmed he’s prepared to make the powerful choices that outline teaching tenures.
Whereas Daigneault could not have the observe file of the coaches who got here earlier than him, it is a robust case that he needs to be in that group. As Quinn factors out, it appears inevitable. If that is the case, we would as nicely exit on a limb and put him within the high 5.
The Thunder took a danger with Daigneault after they employed him in 2020. He was an unknown within the league. 4 seasons after his arrival, it’s clear OKC made a profitable rent. He helped lead a rebuild and appeared like the kind of coach who is also a part of a title contender.
This text was initially printed on OKC Thunder Wire: Mark Daigneault ranked Sixth NBA head coach heading into 2024-25 season
