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DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Tom Thibodeau waited about two decades to become an NBA head coach. It didn't take him long to be recognized as one of the best once he got the chance.

• Official Release

Thibodeau is the NBA's Coach of the Year after leading the Chicago Bulls to 62 wins in his first season to tie a league record set by Paul Westphal.

The Chicago Tribune first reported Thibodeau's selection, which was no surprise the way the Bulls dominated during the regular season. Now, after a tough five-game series against Indiana in the opening round, they'll open the Eastern Conference semifinals against Atlanta on Monday.

"After being here for a year, I realize how fortunate I am to be here," Thibodeau said. "It's a great city, great fans, great organization, great players, and if it meant waiting 20 years to get this job, it was well worth the wait."

Center Joakim Noah said Thibodeau was "very well deserving" of the award and called him "one of the hardest workers I've ever been around.

"He stays in late," Noah added. "He's the first one here. He was there for me all summer working me out. I felt like I really improved as a player because of him."

Thibodeau received 475 points and 76 first-place votes from a media panel. Philadelphia's Doug Collins got 18 first-place votes and 210 points, and Gregg Popovich of San Antonio finished third.

An NBA assistant for about two decades, Thibodeau finally got his chance to lead a team after spending three seasons