It's challenging to rank head coaches in the NBA. A few coaches, like San Antonio Spurs' Gregg Popovich, stand out amongst the rest. But it's hard to separate the coach from the roster they are given. Coaches are often scapegoats in the NBA; when things aren't going well, it's their responsibility to right the ship. But when the team wins, most of the credit is given to the players.
That's the case with Blazers' head coach Chauncey Billups, who is on the hot seat for the upcoming season after their 21-61 finish last year, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic (subscription required).
Ranking all 30 NBA head coaches for 2024-25 season
1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs
2. Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat
3. Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
4. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder
5. Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets
6. Michael Malone, Denver Nuggets
7. Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers
8. Tyronn Lue, Los Angeles Clippers
9. Quin Snyder, Atlanta Hawks
10. Jamahl Mosely, Orlando Magic
11. Will Hardy, Utah Jazz
12. Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks
13. Joe Mazzula, Boston Celtics
14. Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers
15. Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves
16. Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies
17. Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
18. Mike Brown, Sacramento Kings
19. JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers
20. Mike Budenholzer, Phoenix Suns
21. Willie Green, New Orleans Pelicans
22. Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers
23. Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks
24. Charles Lee, Charlotte Hornets
25. J. B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons
26. Darko Rajaković, Toronto Raptors
27. Jordi Fernández, Brooklyn Nets
28. Chauncey Billups, Portland Trail Blazers
29. Brian Keefe, Washington Wizards
30. Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls
Does Chauncey Billups deserve to be on the hot seat?
Billups is on the hot seat in Portland, but is it justified? A legendary coach like Popovich could better maximize the talent of the Blazers' young roster than Billups. But regardless of who coaches from the bench, this Portland roster doesn't have enough talent to compete for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference. There's a disconnect between the Blazers' rebuilding timeline and the expectations set for Billups.
Rip City has a half-baked roster as they continue to accumulate assets. Donovan Clingan, selected No. 7 overall, is looking like a steal. But the Blazers picking him and having four centers on their roster is a prime example of how they are looking to get the best available players with no intention of figuring out how to put together the optimal lineup to win immediately.