A lot has to go right for an NBA team to win 46 of its first 56 games, but the Cleveland Cavaliers have been fortunate enough to experience that reality this season as they have now come out of the All-Star Break with two emphatic victories to extend their lead in the Eastern Conference to six games over the Boston Celtics.
A lot of focus has been placed on this deep and youthful roster, but it’s another move that one insider recently gave the team an “A+” for.
ESPN Cleveland’s Nick Paulus recently heaped praise upon first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson on a recent appearance on his show, calling him an “A+” hire and giving him credit for pushing every right button and getting everything he can out of each member of this roster.
Kenny Atkinson has been an ‘A+’ Hire & fantastic for the Cavs Franchise & Player development since Day 1, but this is the Regular Season.. Need to see it in the Playoffs too
I DO have faith this Cavs team will keep it rolling then as well#LetEmKnow @ESPNCleveland pic.twitter.com/PDrXnXK1pE
— Nick Paulus (@NickPaulus) February 23, 2025
While Paulus had great things to say about Atkinson, he also noted that it’s still the regular season and a lot is left to be determined, but so far, Atkinson has checked every box and been a perfect hire.
Atkinson took over a team with plenty of question marks about how its best players fit together.
However, nobody is asking those questions anymore as Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley have blossomed alongside one another in the frontcourt.
At the same time, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell have improved their dynamic as backcourt mates.
There is obviously a long way to go, but this is beyond just a hot start at this point.
The Cavs are for real and are looking to take the next step after consecutive early playoff exits the past two years.
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