Kenny Atkinson has been either an assistant or head coach to multiple teams in the NBA but he’s finding his most success now with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The team is off to a red-hot start and Atkinson is being praised as one of the best coaches in the league.
His career has definitely experienced some rough moments, including when he was fired as head coach by the Brooklyn Nets.
Speaking to Spencer Davies and the press, Atkinson talked about that and how it affected him for the better.
“After I got fired in Brooklyn, you’re a little taken aback… how do we turn this into how can I get better?’ Luckily I felt like I’ve made the right decisions,” Atkinson said.
He turned the firing into a positive and said he has “grown a lot” since then.
“Definitely not the same coach I was in Brooklyn,” he said.
“After I got fired in Brooklyn, you’re a little taken aback… how do we turn this into how can I get better?’ Luckily I felt like I’ve made the right decisions.”
Kenny Atkinson reflects on his Nets days as a first-time head coach with KD & Kyrie. Caris LeVert chimed in. #Cavs pic.twitter.com/xUOjIXbamD
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) November 11, 2024
Atkinson said he is trying to welcome as many experiences as he can as a figure in the NBA.
From his days as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Golden State Warriors, to his days leading the Nets, Atkinson has done a lot.
But is achieving things never done before with the Cavaliers right now.
The team has an 11-0 record, which is a franchise best, and Atkinson is definitely in the running for Coach of the Year.
Instead of losing faith in himself after his firing in Brooklyn, Atkinson asked himself how he could grow, become a better coach, and keep living his dream in the NBA.
That has clearly paid off because the Cavaliers are better than they have been in years.
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