Riley Wins Coach-of-the-Year Award by Mixing and Matching With Knicks

Pat Riley, who added seven new players this season and came up with a winning mix for the New York Knicks, Monday was named NBA coach of the year for the second time.

In the closest vote in the award’s 31-year history, Riley edged Houston’s Rudy Tomjanovich, 32-31, in balloting by 98 NBA writers and broadcasters.

Riley also won the award with the Lakers in 1990. He had won four NBA championships by that time, but they did not win the title that year and he resigned soon after.

Riley, in his second season with the Knicks, led the team to a 60-22 record, matching the winningest mark in the team’s 47-year history. The Knicks won 51 games in his first season.

“We gave every last ounce of energy this season, and that transcends any individual awards we might win,” Riley said. “Awards always make me uncomfortable. To me, coaching is a privilege, and getting awards is not why I’m coaching.”