Magic Johnson Predicts 'Likely' Winner of NBA Coach of the Year

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Mar 3, 2025 7:32 PM ET

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson is convinced one coach has already made a strong case to win the Coach of the Year award for the 2024-25 season.

While talking about the success of his former teams—the Michigan State Spartans and Lakers—this campaign, Johnson also chimed in on the Coach of the Year battle in the NBA and how JJ Redick should be in the conversation.

However, while he's impressed by how Redick has turned the Lakers around and guided them to the second seed in the Western Conference, Johnson admitted that Detroit Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff "will likely win" the recognition.

"Tom Izzo should be Big Ten Coach of the Year, and JJ Reddick should definitely be considered for NBA Coach of the Year although JB Bickerstaff from the Pistons will likely win," Johnson shared.

The best part for both teams is that they have incredible coaches. Tom Izzo should be Big Ten Coach of the Year, and JJ Reddick should definitely be considered for NBA Coach of the Year although JB Bickerstaff from the Pistons will likely win.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 3, 2025

Magic Johnson certainly makes a good point. After all, JB Bickerstaff has led a massive turnaround for a Pistons team that finished at the bottom of the East standings in the past two seasons and won just a combined 31 games in that span.

The Pistons, at the time of writing, boast a 34-27 record for the sixth seed in the East.

For what it's worth, it's not only Johnson who thinks Bickerstaff should win Coach of the Year. Even ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith thinks so, noting that he's simply "shell-shocked" at what he has seen from the Pistons.

It remains to be seen if Bickerstaff will actually win the award, but sure enough, at least two huge sports personalities believe he deserves it.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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