Kenny Atkinson’s Journey to Coaching Success
Kenny Atkinson’s coaching journey reads like a script from a Hollywood movie, fraught with challenges, setbacks, and ultimate triumph. Today, Atkinson is the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that has surged under his leadership, topping the Eastern Conference standings and setting records. But Atkinson's road to Cleveland was anything but smooth.
His post-playing career started with the New York Knicks, planting the seeds for his coaching ambitions. It was, however, with the Brooklyn Nets that Atkinson made his mark, appointed as the head coach in 2016. His first two seasons with the team were difficult, reflected in a disappointing 48-116 record. Yet Atkinson’s determination and innate coaching prowess eventually bore fruit. By his third season with the Nets, the team achieved a commendable 42-40 record, earning a spot in the playoffs. This achievement marked a turning point, but his tenure with Brooklyn concluded after the 2019-2020 season.
Reflecting on those early years, Atkinson admitted, “I was a little crazy...I was desperate to make it. I really got after it, but I knew even after two years in Brooklyn, it was bad for my health.” His relentless pursuit, he acknowledged, came at a personal cost. However, the lessons learned spurred his growth, and he emerged as a more seasoned coach.
After Brooklyn, Atkinson broadened his horizons, serving as an assistant coach first with the Los Angeles Clippers and later with the Golden State Warriors. His tenure with the Warriors proved pivotal as he contributed to their 2022 NBA Championship victory. "The journey after Brooklyn really helped me grow as a coach," Atkinson shared. "But I will tell you I'm competitive, and when you have setbacks, you remember things, right? ... You're motivated to prove people wrong." His time with these high-profile teams not only refined his skills but also bolstered his reputation, paving the way for his next chapter.
In Cleveland, Atkinson made an immediate impact. The Cavaliers, under his direction, embarked on a record-setting run, winning their first 15 games—a remarkable feat for a coach in his first season with a new team. This impressive start catapulted the Cavaliers to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, showcasing his transformative influence on the team’s dynamics.
Atkinson's coaching style in Cleveland is notably collaborative, fostering a culture of mutual respect and understanding. He has emphasized the importance of personal relationships with his players, demonstrated by his rapport with Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert, whom he previously coached in Brooklyn. These players, now pivotal figures in Cleveland, have thrived under Atkinson's guidance. As he humorously noted, "I yell at (LeVert) every once in a while just to keep him on his toes...I do feel freedom to coach those guys harder...because that's how they want to be coached." This openness and adaptability in his approach have resonated well with the Cavaliers, allowing them to flourish.
Brooklyn, Atkinson characterized, is “a city that breathes basketball,” a backdrop for his formative coaching years. The experiences garnered there laid the foundation for his subsequent successes. Now, as he leads the Cavaliers, Atkinson embodies a coach who has not only survived but thrived through the rigors of professional basketball.
Kenny Atkinson’s narrative is far from ordinary. His journey, marked by both adversity and achievements, is a testament to his resilience and dedication. As the Cavaliers continue their pursuit of glory, they do so under the guidance of a coach whose career has been a rich tapestry of experience and growth—a coach whose past has been instrumental in crafting the successful and respected leader he is today.