The WNBA’s Coach of the Year award is often given to a coach who exceeded external expectations. This year, Natalie Nakase is a strong candidate for the award, despite being the winner last year.
Normally, a coach wouldn’t win the award in back-to-back seasons. However, Nakase has turned the Golden State Valkyries into one of the most dominant teams in the WNBA, with a 31-12 record and the best point differential in the league.
The Valkyries have the best defensive rating in the WNBA, with a rating of 99.4. They hold opponents to 75.1 points per game, which is the lowest in the league.
The team’s success can be attributed to Nakase’s ability to maximize her roster. She has helped players like Kaitlyn Chen and Veronica Burton have career years, and has figured out how to get the most out of veterans like Tiffany Hayes and Kayla Thornton.
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Notably, the Valkyries have outscored opponents by an average of 7.2 points per game, which not only leads the league but also surpasses the Minnesota Lynx’s +6.9 net rating. This impressive margin is a sign of the team’s overall strength and Nakase’s coaching prowess.
Other Top Candidates Emerge
Other strong candidates for the award include Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx, Sydney Johnson of the Washington Mystics, and Becky Hammon of the Las Vegas Aces.
Reeve has done a great job of managing her team despite Napheesa Collier’s extended absence. However, Reeve has a more talented roster than Nakase, which makes Nakase’s achievement more impressive.
Johnson has been the perfect fit for a young Mystics squad, and has helped the team become one of the best defensive teams in the league. Hammon is a perennial candidate for the award, but her team’s success is often expected due to their talented roster.
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The Aces are once again among the WNBA’s best teams, currently holding a 30-13 record, despite losing NaLyssa Smith to an ACL tear. This level of success, despite significant setbacks, is a sign of Hammon’s coaching abilities, even if her team’s expectations are higher than others.
Nakase’s Coaching Mastery
Nakase has taken a team that was a fringe playoff contender in their first year to a legitimate championship contender in just two years. She has masterfully managed the minutes and loads of a deep Valkyries roster, and has helped players like Kiah Stokes become a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
Notably, the Valkyries’ defensive prowess is not just about their overall rating but also about their ability to hold opponents to an average of 75.1 points per game. The next lowest average is the Mystics’ 82.5 points per game, showcasing the significant gap between the Valkyries and the rest of the league in terms of defensive strength.
But after much consideration, Nakase is once again a top candidate for the Coach of the Year award, having turned the Valkyries from a fringe playoff team in Year 1 to one of the most dominant teams in the WNBA. If A’ja Wilson can win MVP year after year, why can’t Nakase be rewarded for outdoing her exceptional Year 1 performance? The Valkyries are not just a playoff team — they’re a legitimate championship contender, despite not having a single player who averages 15 or more points per game, a sign of Nakase’s coaching and the team’s collective strength.