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2015 NBA Finals: Steve Kerr, David Blatt and the 10 Best Rookie Head Coaches of All Time

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Steve Kerr, David Blatt and The 10 Best Rookie Head Coaches of All Time

Steve Kerr Warriors
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In the 2015 NBA Finals, two rookie coaches, Golden State's Steve Kerr and Cleveland's David Blatt, will compete to become just the third coach since the 1980s to win the NBA Championship in his debut season. So where do these two rank among the best rookie coaches in NBA history? Here are the top 10.

10. Rick Carlisle (2001-02)

Rick Carlisle Pistons
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10. Rick Carlisle (2001-02)

Rick Carlisle Pistons
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In the 2001-02 season, Rick Carlisle improved the Pistons by 18 games, going 50-32 in 2002 and winning NBA Coach of the Year honors. A year later, Carlisle would lead the Pistons to the Eastern Conference Finals, but was axed in favor of Larry Brown, who won it all in 2004.

9. Rudy Tomjanovich (1992-93)

Rudy Tomjanovich Rockets
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9. Rudy Tomjanovich (1992-93)

Rudy Tomjanovich Rockets
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In 1993, Rudy Tomjanovich became the first rookie coach in NBA history to take his team from the lottery to the division title. Also in his first year, the Rockets went to the Western Conference semifinals. Tomjanovich would then win two consecutive NBA Championships in the next two seasons.

8. Tom Thibodeau (2010-11)

Tom Thibodeau Bulls
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8. Tom Thibodeau (2010-11)

Tom Thibodeau Bulls
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In 2010-11, Thibodeau won NBA Coach of the Year honors after leading the Bulls to a 62-20 record. The Bulls went on to reach the Eastern Conference Finals where they would lose in five games to the Miami Heat.

7. Bill Russell (1966-67)

Bill Russell Celtics
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7. Bill Russell (1966-67)

Bill Russell Celtics
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Following the retirement of Red Auerbach, the Celtics named Russell player-coach, and he excelled right away. Russell's Celtics went 60-21, but lost to Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

6. Larry Bird (1997-98)

Larry Bird Pacers
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6. Larry Bird (1997-98)

Larry Bird Pacers
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During the 1997-98 season, Bird was named NBA Coach of the Year after guiding the Indiana Pacers to a 58-24 record. The Pacers would reach the Eastern Conference Finals, but lost to the Chicago Bulls in seven games.

5. David Blatt (2014-15)

David Blatt Cavaliers
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5. David Blatt (2014-15)

David Blatt Cavaliers
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Led mostly by the comeback of LeBron James to Cleveland, David Blatt went 53-29 in his debut season with the Cavaliers. Cleveland is now in the 2015 NBA Finals after sweeping Atlanta in the Eastern Conference Finals.

4. Steve Kerr (2014-15)

Steve Kerr Warriors
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4. Steve Kerr (2014-15)

Steve Krr Warriors
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After taking over for Mark Jackson in Golden State, Steve Kerr guided the Warriors to the NBA Finals this season. Kerr was named NBA Coach of the Year after going 67-15 and defeated the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Finals.

3. Paul Westphal (1992-93)

Paul Westphal Suns
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3. Paul Westphal (1992-93)

Paul Westphal Suns
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In his debut season with the Phoenix Suns, Paul Westphal went 62-20 in the regular season and guided the Suns to the NBA Finals. However, the Suns would lose in six games to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

2. Paul Westhead (1979-80)

Paul Westhead Lakers
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2. Paul Westhead (1979-80)

Paul Westhead Lakers
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In 1979-80, Westhead went 50-18 and guided the Lakers to the NBA Finals. His team would go on to win the NBA Finals largely because Magic Johnson started at center in Game 6.

1. Pat Riley (1981-82)

Pat Riley Lakers
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1. Pat Riley (1981-82)

Pat Riley Lakers
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After taking over for Jerry West during the 1981-82 season, Pat Riley guided the Lakers to their second NBA Championship in three seasons. Riley's team went 50-21 during that season and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the Finals in six games.

Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer and featured writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

Brian Kalchik is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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