A Win's a Win, Until It Isn't

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          Just a few days ago, Luke Walton, interim coach of the still-perfect Golden State Warriors, was named an NBA Coach of the Month. It makes sense, right? I mean, the Warriors have maintained a perfect record; they're blowing everyone else away right now. However, Walton has an 0-0 official coaching record. So what gives?
          Walton was not supposed to be the coach of the Warriors this season. Steve Kerr, who coached the Warriors to the NBA Title last season, was meant to step into his second season at the helm. However, complications from a spinal surgery have knocked him out of action in the meantime. So, the Warriors turned to Walton, and the team has continued to flourish. Walton coaches the team on the court, and Kerr gets credit for the wins. Wait, what?
          That's how the NBA is currently constructed. As mentioned in the article from the first link, written by Benjamin Hoffman of the New York Times, interim coaches that are not permanently replacing someone do not get credit for team wins. It doesn't tend to matter all that much, as it is a rare situation. Basically, a coach needs to be having serious health issues typically, and in his place an interim coach continues to win. As Hoffman again pointed out, it has happened with the Colts in the NFL (who have the same rules as the NBA) and previously with the all-time coaching wins leader, Don Nelson. The irony is not lost on me that both Nelson and the Walton/Kerr situation happened a bit with the Warriors.
          Does this all seem right though? To me, it doesn't, but that's mainly because I see it as someone not getting credit for doing his job. Walton has downplayed the situation, but Kerr has come out and voiced much displeasure with it.
          Others have mentioned that the cause for not allowing interims to get credit for wins is because of limited control of the team. That may be so, but are they doing enough to help their teams win?
          Another point brought up by Hoffman was that changing the rules to give interim coaches credit for wins would chance the rule books. Don Nelson would no longer be the all-time coaching win leader if that were the case. To that I respond: is the NBA so afraid of changing the rule book that it would work against a case where someone is not being treated fairly just to keep it with the status quo? Commissioner Adam Silver has done a great job so far being progressive with the league. It's time to let the wins go where they belong, and right now the Warriors wins belong on Walton's record.

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