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Duke in the NBA: Quin Snyder Falls Short in Coach of the Year Award

By Kevin Connelly

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 04: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz looks on in the second half during Game Three of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rockets beat the Jazz 113-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 04: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz looks on in the second half during Game Three of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 4, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rockets beat the Jazz 113-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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Quin Snyder had an amazing year with the Utah Jazz, leading them back to the playoffs despite much roster turnover in the offseason, but he fell short of the NBA Coach of the Year Award.

The Utah Jazz had a sensational year on the hardwood, lead by Head Coach and former Duke Blue Devil, Quin Snyder.

Snyder was a four-year guard at Duke from 1985-1989, having his best season came in 1987-1988 where he averaged 8.3 points, 5.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game.

After taking over the Jazz in the 2014-15 season, Snyder led the Jazz to the playoffs in the 2016-17 season and followed that season up with another playoff appearance this year.

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In both seasons the Jazz won its first playoff season before losing in the second round.

However, this year the Jazz lost the Northwest Division by one game this season to the Portland Trail Blazers, as they tied for second with the Oklahoma City Thunder who the Jazz beat in the First Round of the playoffs.

Snyder and Boston Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens lost the Coach of the Year Award to former Toronto Raptors Head Coach Dwane Casey.

Casey was fired after the Toronto Raptors were swept in the Second Round of the Playoffs by LeBron James and the Clevaland Cavilers. Casey and the Raptors set a franchise record winning 59 games en route to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Casey is now the new head coach of the Detroit Pistons.

Stevens also had an excellent year with the Boston Celtics, leading the injury-riddled team to 55 wins and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, making it all the way to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals where they too were eliminated by James and the Cavs.

As Snyder continues to grow as a head coach in the NBA, it will be great to see how the Utah Jazz progress with Rookie of the Year Finalist Donovan Mitchell entering his second year and Grayson Allen joining the Jazz as their No. 21 overall draft pick.

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