In the ever-shifting landscape of NBA coaching, few stories are as compelling as that of Kenny Atkinson. The 57-year-old Long Island native, once known for his 4:30 a.m. post-loss workouts as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, made a triumphant return to his old stomping grounds on Monday night. Only this time, he arrived as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team currently boasting the best record in the NBA.
From Struggling Nets to Soaring Cavs
Atkinson’s tenure with the Nets began in 2016 when the team was mired in a rebuilding phase. His first two seasons saw the Nets go 48-116, a record that would drive any coach to desperation. “I was a little crazy,” Atkinson admitted, reflecting on those early morning gym sessions. “I was desperate to make it. I didn’t want to fail.”
But Atkinson’s relentless work ethic and dedication to his craft paid off. In his third season, the Nets improved to 42-40 and reached the playoffs for the first time in four years. Though they would miss the postseason the following year and part ways with Atkinson, the foundation had been laid for the team’s future success.
Lessons Learned, Victories Earned
Atkinson’s journey after Brooklyn, which included assistant coaching stints with the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors (with whom he won an NBA title in 2022), proved invaluable to his growth as a coach. “The journey after Brooklyn really helped me grow as a coach,” Atkinson reflected. “But I will tell you I’m competitive, and when you have setbacks, you remember things, right? You’re motivated to prove people wrong.”
And prove them wrong he has. Since taking the reins in Cleveland, Atkinson has guided the Cavaliers to a historic start, winning their first 15 games—the most ever by a coach with a new team. The Cavs now sit atop the Eastern Conference, ahead of even the defending champion Boston Celtics.
Delegation and Evolution
So what’s been the key to Atkinson’s success in Cleveland? According to those who know him best, it’s his willingness to adapt and evolve as a coach. “I do feel freedom to coach those guys harder … because that’s how they want to be coached,” Atkinson said of his former Nets players, Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert, now reunited with him on the Cavs.
But perhaps more importantly, Atkinson has learned to delegate more responsibility to his assistant coaches, a sign of his growing confidence and maturity as a leader. This evolution has clearly paid dividends for the Cavaliers, who look poised to make a deep playoff run under Atkinson’s guidance.
A Homecoming to Remember
As Atkinson stepped onto the court at Barclays Center on Monday night, the significance of the moment was not lost on him. “It’s a great basketball city. Brooklyn breathes basketball,” he mused. “You walk into a deli, or you walk into a pizza joint, and people know the game and they love the game.”
For Atkinson, this homecoming represents not just a return to familiar territory but a testament to his resilience, adaptability, and unwavering passion for the game. And if the Cavaliers’ success thus far is any indication, it’s a journey that’s far from over—and one that could very well end with Atkinson hoisting another championship trophy, this time as a head coach.
