SB Nation’s writer again votes for Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase as WNBA Coach of the Year, citing the team’s 31-12 record, second-best in the league, and 99.4 defensive rating, the WNBA’s best, after an eighth-seed finish last season.
The article credits Nakase with managing a deep roster and drawing contributions across it: backup guard Kaitlyn Chen is having a career year, Veronica Burton ranks among the most effective players by advanced metrics, and veterans Tiffany Hayes and Kayla Thornton remain important in reduced roles. Kiah Stokes is described as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and no Valkyries player averages 15 points per game.
Other coaches the writer considered were Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve, Washington’s Sydney Johnson and Las Vegas’ Becky Hammon. The article credits Reeve with managing Napheesa Collier’s extended absence and empowering rookie Olivia Miles; Johnson with the Mystics’ unexpectedly strong season and second-best defense; and Hammon with keeping the Aces among the league’s best despite losing Chennedy Carter midseason and NaLyssa Smith to an ACL tear. It says the Valkyries’ postseason prospects remain uncertain, while Coach of the Year is a regular-season award.
