Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors

An offseason coaching change was just what the doctor ordered for the Golden State Warriors. By swapping out one ESPN analyst for another, the Warriors have climbed to the top of the NBA world. Kerr has gotten the best out of his players offensively and his emphasis on defense had the Warriors in early discussions as a team who could potentially approach the storied '96 Chicago Bulls for the best record in NBA history. With just five losses on the season-only one of which came at Oracle Arena-the Warriors are far and away the best team in basketball. Kerr has managed the team to near perfection and was able to continue the team's success in the absence of Andrew Bogut-something Mark Jackson was unable to do. While they may be falling out of contention of catching the '96 Bulls, the Warriors continue to blow past opponents and blaze the trail to the NBA Finals. The postseason will, of course, be a bigger test, but Steve Kerr is far and away the favorite for Coach of the Year.

Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks

In his second year with the Hawks, Budenholzer has skyrocketed up the Eastern Conference standings. After barely reaching the playoffs last season, winning less than half of their games, the Hawks have been resurgent in 2014. A late roll has jolted them to the tippy-top of the East. Losing just two of their last 18 games, the Hawks have benefited from great team basketball. Budenholzer has made the best out of an underrated starting five, while creating depth on the bench. A sluggish start has been completely nullified by their recent stretch as the Hawks have moved to the top as a strong candidate to represent the East in the NBA Finals. Ball distribution and good defense have been key in Budenholzer's second-year science. Who are the Hawks? Well, you should know by now.

David Joerger, Memphis Grizzlies

While the Grizzlies came into the playoffs seeded seventh in the Western Conference with a record of 50-32 last season, many felt they had underachieved. A team that has felt like a lower-half playoff team for several years, Joerger has moved the Grizzlies up in the conversation. With a year at the helm under his belt, Joerger won the first six games of the season on his way to a 21-4 start. The two-headed monster in Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph has thrived under Joerger. A well-rounded starting lineup coupled with an incoming veteran in Vince Carter to round out a versatile bench has worked out well under Joerger. The Grizzlies have lost five of their last eight games, which will need to be avoided to keep the Warriors in their sights. A limitation of hiccups down the road will place the Griz right atop the West, poised to finally make a deep run into the playoffs.

Jason Kidd, Milwaukee Bucks

Often neglected as a head coach in the NBA, Jason Kidd has indisputably made a difference for the Bucks. With virtually the exact same roster as the lottery-invested team from a year ago, Kidd has been a difference maker from the top. After making the playoffs last season with the star-studded Brooklyn Nets and subsequently let go, Kidd has done more with less in Milwaukee. Jabari Parker was selected with the second overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and was beginning to break out before going down with a season-ending ACL injury. Now, Jason Kidd is back with a nearly identical roster to the Bucks of last season, yet has been able to hover just above .500 with the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. The East may be weak, but to have a record better than teams with Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh is a huge credit to Kidd.

Terry Stotts, Portland Trail Blazers

Stotts has positioned the Blazers in a canyon between the two spotlight teams in the Western Conference. A record of 26-8 is second only to the Golden State Warriors. In his third season with the team, Stotts has exploited opposing defenses with the one-two punch of Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge. Yet, an increase in depth, starting with the offseason acquisition of Chris Kaman has allowed Stotts to spread the wealth. The third time may be the charm, as a decreased reliance on the two superstars may be the key for the Trail Blazers. Wedged between the highly coveted Warriors and Grizzlies, Stotts may be under-recognized in the Coach of the Year discussion. The Blazers will need some extra oomph to one-up Lillard's playoff dagger from last season, but Stotts already deserves to be in the conversation.