Doc Rivers finishes 5th in Coach of the Year voting

Gregg Popovich was selected as the NBA's Coach of the Year on Tuesday after leading the San Antonio Spurs to 50 wins and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference in the lockout-shortened season.

Popovich received 77 first-place votes. Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau was second (27), Indiana coach Frank Vogel was third (7) and Memphis coach Lionel Hollins was fourth (6). Boston's Doc Rivers and Denver's George Karl each received a vote.

Before anyone gets their panties in a bunch and complains that Doc was slighted, remember the award is for the entire season, not just the 2nd half of the season where the Celtics excelled. I think Doc is one of the best coaches in the league and the best fit for the Celtics, but hard to complain about the 4 above him this season. Popovich got his old team to win 50 games in a 66 game season. So did Thibs (and without Rose for almost half those games). Hollins did a fantastic job, despite barely having their best player the entire season. Vogel finally made the Pacers relevant again.

The Celtics had their own share of injuries and Doc did a fantastic job once again. The Celtics finished the season 24-10. The first 32 games though they were only 15-17. Again it's coach of the "year," not second half. Congrats to Pop. I'm sure Doc would prefer another ring anyway.