Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer looks on during a match.
IN PHOTO: Feb 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) drives down the court against Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer is shown in the background. Hawks won 105-96. Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer has been awarded the Coach of the Year award by the NBA after leading the Hawks to the Eastern Conference playoffs as the top seed in just his second year with the team.

Coach Budenholzer started out as a video coordinator before becoming assistant to Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs before being offered the Hawks job before the start of 2013-14 season and has got the Hawks to play a similar quick motion offensive system, which has seen them ranked second in the league for assists per game this season.

Atlanta had won just 38 games last season, and started this season slowly, going 7-6 before building up steam and going on an impressive 19 game winning streak, including 17-0 in January. They finished the season with a 60-22 record, the best in their franchise history, and seven games clear of the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers, the pre-season favourites.

"We have an incredible group, and every day the work and the commitment that they put in is very special. It makes me want to get better so that I can keep pace with them, the pace with which they work, the effort with which they put in to improve. It forces me to keep up with them and to keep getting better myself," Budenholzer said, as per ESPN, while thanking the players and assistants in his acceptance speech.

The Hawks coach garnered 67 of 130 first place votes and 513 points while Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors recorded 57 first place votes and 471 points. Jason Kidd, of the Milwaukee Bucks, was third with one first place vote and 57 points. Brad Stevens, of the Boston Celtics, finished in fourth place, ahead of San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich.

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