The Cleveland Cavaliers have employed Kenny Atkinson as Head Coach, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman introduced yesterday from Cleveland Clinic Courts.
Atkinson, 57, turns into the twenty fourth head coach in Cavaliers staff historical past after spending the final three seasons as assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, who most not too long ago captured the 2021-22 NBA Championship. He may even function an assistant coach with the French Nationwide Staff that can take part on the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games this summer season.
“We carried out a radical and in depth search within the choosing of the following head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and right now, we’re excited to welcome Kenny Atkinson to Northeast Ohio,” stated Altman. “Kenny brings a wealth of expertise, a confirmed monitor report of participant growth, and a relentless work ethic that aligns with the imaginative and prescient we’ve for this franchise. His revolutionary strategy will instill a method of play and model of basketball that can give us an opportunity for sustainable success and in the end compete for Championships. His familiarity teaching alongside a number of the NBA’s greatest elevates this partnership and we’re excited that Kenny will information our staff and assist us obtain our targets each on and off the courtroom.”
Previous to his stint with the Warriors, Atkinson was an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers (2021-22), and head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, spending elements of 4 seasons (2016-2020). He ranks third all-time in Nets franchise historical past for video games coached (308) and fourth in wins (118). After Brooklyn posted a 20-62 report in his first season, Atkinson led the Nets to an eight-win enchancment in his second season. In 2018-19, Atkinson guided Brooklyn to a 42-40 report and their first postseason berth since 2015. The 14-win enchancment represented the third-biggest improve in wins amongst all NBA groups that season, and Brooklyn’s third straight season bettering its win-loss report, marking the primary time the Nets had completed so in three or extra consecutive seasons since 1990 to 1994.
His earlier expertise contains assistant teaching stops with Atlanta (2012-2016), New York (2008-2012), and one season because the director of participant growth in Houston (2007-08).
“I’m thrilled and honored to be named head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers,” stated Atkinson. “That is an unimaginable alternative to guide an already proficient younger roster with an equally shiny future. I’ve seen firsthand and needed to put together for this group as an opposing coach, and the duty was not straightforward. I’m so excited to now be on this aspect of the ledger to assist proceed transferring this staff ahead. I additionally wish to thank Koby Altman and the entrance workplace for having the boldness in me and the shared imaginative and prescient we’ve for sustainable success in Cleveland.”
