NBA Coach Approval Ratings - November
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Flip Saunders 94%
Team: Detroit Pistons
Record: 11-2
Votes: 2,757 Pistons sizzle under Saunders
Larry who? The style of play is different, but the results remain the same. Detroit was the final NBA team to lose this season, as the team seemed to experience no growing pains at all under new head coach Flip Saunders. Chauncey Billups has become one of the NBA's top assist men under Saunders, while Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince have shot the ball well. Roles seem to be very well defined and accepted already, so the Pistons appear poised for a third straight NBA Finals appearance.
Mike Montgomery 92%
Team: Golden State Warriors
Record: 11-6
Votes: 1,084 Warriors pick up where they left off last season
The Warriors are out to end the NBA's longest playoff drought (11 seasons) - and are looking good to do so after one month of play. Although only two of their 11 wins have come against teams over the .500 mark, the Warriors do have a winning road record. The progress shown early on by Mickael Pietrus and the recent debut of rookie Ike Diogu provide reasons to think this start is no fluke. They beat down many opponents from three-point land, but the Warriors' struggles on the glass are what will hurt them most in their quest to get back to the playoffs.
Avery Johnson 91%
Team: Dallas Mavericks
Record: 10-4
Votes: 981 Impressive victories highlight solid opening month
The Mavericks are among the top teams in the NBA early on, thanks to a multitude of offensive options and an improving defense. Dallas has already posted some impressive victories over the Spurs, Pistons and on the road versus Miami - all by 13 points or more. Dirk Nowitzki is having another great season, and Josh Howard's game has continued to mature under Avery Johnson.
Mike Brown 91%
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 10-4
Votes: 959 Cavaliers enjoy best November in 17 years
Despite a couple of losses late in the month, the Cavaliers enjoyed their best November since '88-89. The good news in Cleveland is that there is still plenty of room for improvement. The key offseason additions - especially Larry Hughes - are just starting to get more comfortable with their new coach and teammates. And key contributors from last season, Ira Newble and Anderson Varejao, have yet to play a game as they continue to rehab injuries. LeBron James continues to amaze on a nightly basis, particularly now that he doesn't have to do everything for this team.
Gregg Popovich 91%
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Record: 11-3
Votes: 919 Defending champs pick up where they left off
Four months didn't affect the momentum that the Spurs finished with in the NBA Finals. San Antonio has the best record in the Western Conference, and two of its three losses came on a five-game road trip. Tony Parker continues to improve his game, while the additions of Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel have bolstered an already strong nucleus. The Spurs lead the NBA in field-goal percentage and have remained stellar defensively.
Mike Dunleavy 90%
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Record: 10-5
Votes: 418 Brand, veteran additions turn Clippers into winners
The Clippers are atop the Pacific Division thanks to Elton Brand's MVP-like performance night in and night out, along with the additions of Cuttino Mobley and Sam Cassell. Mike Dunleavy's bunch is in the top 5 in the league in scoring, field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage. But more impressively, they lead the NBA in field-goal percentage defense. Need a reason to temper the enthusiasm? The best team the Clippers have beaten is Golden State, the other surprise in the league.
Byron Scott 90%
Team: NO/Oklahoma City Hornets
Record: 7-7
Votes: 410 Hornets take to new home - and road - in surprising start
Some experts predicted the Hornets to be the NBA's worst team. After watching them for a month, that's certainly not the case. David West has really blossomed this season and has complemented rookie Chris Paul quite well. New Orleans/Oklahoma City has played, and lost, against some tough compeition thus far (Cleveland, Dallas, Miami, Golden State), but have exhibited great effort on most nights. The Hornets have performed admirably, winning five of their final seven games in November.
Scott Skiles 89%
Team: Chicago Bulls
Record: 7-6
Votes: 601 Bulls rebound nicely after rough early road stretch
Chicago began the season 3-5, including losses in its first four road games. But they followed that up with four straight wins - three of which came on the road, including one against the Spurs - to keep from falling too far off the early pace in the East. Chicago's only home loss came in overtime to those same Spurs. It's been an extremely balanced attack for Scott Skiles' crew, which has had eight of its 13 games decided by five points or fewer or in overtime. It could be like that all season, so it will be interesting to see if last year's experience will prove beneficial to this team in those tight contests.
Mike D'Antoni 89%
Team: Phoenix Suns
Record: 8-5
Votes: 752 Phoenix getting by without Amare, finishes November strong
The Suns are near the top of the Pacific Division standings despite the absence of one of the more dynamic players in the league in Amare Stoudemire. While Phoenix has only two wins against teams with a winning record so far, the emergence of Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa (out a couple more weeks with a knee injury) has to put a smile on Mike D'Antoni's face. The Suns have exhibited more balance on offense this season, which could benefit them down the line when Amare returns.
Mike Fratello 89%
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 10-5
Votes: 373 Grizzlies defense helps them keep pace in Southwest Division
Memphis has the NBA's stingiest defense and a player hungry to prove he's an All-Star. Mike Fratello's squad has held all but two of its opponents under 100 points (and they won the two games in which they allowed 100+). Pau Gasol is off to a great start, and the addition of Eddie Jones has worked out quite well in stretching the defense. Shane Battier also enjoyed a great November and has helped make Memphis a solid playoff contender again this season. With a home win over Cleveland and road victories against Phoenix and Dallas, the Grizzlies are to be dealt with.
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