NBA Report: Mike Budenholzer Named Coach of the Year

Atlanta Hawks Mike Budenholzer is the 2014-15 NBA Coach of the Year.

Under Budenholzer's leadership, the Hawks earned the number one seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Hawks' 60-22 was the second best record in the league after the Golden State Warriors finished 67-15. Last year, the Hawks only won 38 games.

In voting, however, Budenholzer finished first. The 45-year-old coach received 67 first-place votes out of 130 and earned 513 overall points. Warriors coach Steve Kerr finished in second with 471 votes. He received 56 first-place votes. Milwaukee Bucks coach Jason Kidd finished third with a total of 57 points.

The Hawks finished sixth in offensive efficiency and seventh in defensive efficiency. During this season, the Hawks also set a franchise record by winning 19 in a row. In January, they became the first team in the league to go 17-0 within one calendar month.

"A 'philosophy' sounds more profound and complicated than anything we're doing," Budenholzer had said to USA TODAY Sports back in February. "I do believe in guys playing ball, making reads and making decisions and playing off each other and covering for each other. Big-picture, that's something we're embracing and encouraging - playing together and playing with confidence and opportunities and sharing with your teammate. It's not that complicated."

Kyle Korver had only good things to say about his coach.

Korver said, "I've always felt a majority of coaches are either players' coaches but they're not good X's and O's guys or they're super-heavy on the X's and O's but they have a hard time relating to players. There's some exceptions but not a lot. Bud is the best I've ever been around who gets both the locker room and X's and O's. He very quickly earned everyone's respect by both his approach to the game and competitiveness he shows, his desire to win and how he treats you every day. He never plays mind games with you. He's so up-front. Everyone knows where they stand at all times."

Budenholzer is in his second year as head coach. Before the Hawks, Budenholzer was a longtime assistant for the San Antonio Spurs and learned under coach Gregg Popovich.

The Hawks are playing Game 2 against the Brooklyn Nets on April 22 at 7 p.m. ET.