An informal poll of 24 reporters who cover the league regularly - 13 from the Western Conference and 11 from the East - showed that Utah's Jerry Sloan had an edge over Hubie Brown of Memphis for the coaching honor.

Sloan received 14 first-place votes, Brown got eight, one was split, and there was one abstention. The point totals, on a 3-2-1 basis, showed Sloan with a 60 to 50 lead over Brown.

Brown on Sloan: "The guy's done a miraculous job. He's made the playoffs what, 21 straight years? If he makes the playoffs with this team, that will be one of the major accomplishments of his career. It would be great if he won it. He's a man's man and he's a professional. He coaches with his heart."

Sloan on Brown: "He's done a great job with that team. He's one of the best coaches in basketball, and he's a great teacher. He does things the right way, and this year all their players know exactly what their roles are on that team. I'm not surprised at all that they've been so successful."

The poll showed that there were two runaway races - for most valuable player (Kevin Garnett) and rookie of the year (Lebron James).