Kenny Atkinson Named NBA Coach of the Year
Kenny Atkinson has been recognized as the NBA Coach of the Year in his inaugural season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The announcement came on Monday, celebrating his remarkable achievement in guiding the Cavaliers to a first-place finish in the Eastern Conference with an impressive 64-18 record. Atkinson notably earned 59 out of 100 first-place votes, surpassing J.B. Bickerstaff, the head coach he replaced.
Bickerstaff, who finished second with 31 first-place votes, orchestrated a significant turnaround for the Detroit Pistons. He took the team from the worst record in the league to a respectable 44-38 season, resulting in a playoff position as the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets claimed third place with seven first-place votes.
Atkinson, aged 57, accepted the Cavaliers’ head coaching position last offseason after serving three years as an assistant under Steve Kerr with the Golden State Warriors. This marks his second head coach role; he previously led the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020.
He stepped in for Bickerstaff, who was let go after a successful 48-34 campaign that included back-to-back playoff appearances for the Cavaliers. Despite significant progress during Bickerstaff’s tenure, which ended with a second-round playoff loss to the Boston Celtics, the Cavaliers’ management decided it was time for a change.
In his first year, Atkinson turned around the Cavaliers, achieving a remarkable improvement of 16 wins. The team started the season strong with a 15-0 record, a streak tied for the second-best in NBA history. The Cavaliers maintained their dominance in the Eastern Conference, finishing the regular season with a three-game lead over the Celtics for the top playoff seed.
The team’s success can be attributed to the same core group of players from the previous season, including stars Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. Under Atkinson’s guidance, Garland returned to form as an All-Star after two years of struggles, while Mobley made his first All-Star appearance, earning the Defensive Player of the Year award. Mitchell also secured his spot as an All-Star for the sixth consecutive year.
The Cavaliers ended the season not only with a stellar record but also with the top offensive rating in the NBA and ranked eighth in defensive rating. Their 64-18 record stands as the second-best in the franchise’s history, second only to the 2008-09 team led by LeBron James, which finished with a 66-16 record.
In the playoffs, the Cavaliers showcased their strength by sweeping the Miami Heat with a staggering combined victory margin of 122 points, marking the largest margin in a single playoff series in NBA history. However, their playoff campaign faced a setback when they lost Game 1 of the second round against the Indiana Pacers. This game was particularly challenging for the Cavaliers, as star player Darius Garland sat out due to a sprained toe and was missing for the fourth consecutive game.
Garland’s absence is a concern, as he is questionable for Game 2 on Tuesday. Additionally, Evan Mobley and backup forward De’Andre Hunter are also dealing with injuries sustained during the Game 1 loss, adding further challenges for Atkinson’s roster in the upcoming matches.
As the playoffs progress, all eyes will be on Atkinson and the Cavaliers to see if they can maintain their earlier successes and push toward a deep playoff run.
