The Cleveland Cavaliers have employed Kenny Atkinson as head coach, Koby Altman, president of the Cavaliers’ basketball operations, introduced yesterday from the Cleveland Clinic Courts.
Atkinson, 57, turns into the twenty fourth head coach in Cavaliers staff historical past after spending the final three seasons as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, who just lately gained the 2021-22 NBA championship. He will even be an assistant coach for the French nationwide staff, which competes within the 2024 Olympic Video games in Paris this summer time.
“We carried out a radical and in depth search to pick the following head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and at this time we’re excited to welcome Kenny Atkinson to Northeast Ohio,” Altman stated. “Kenny brings a wealth of expertise, a confirmed observe document of participant growth and a tireless work ethic that aligns with the imaginative and prescient now we have for this franchise. His progressive method will instill a method of play and model of basketball that provides us an opportunity for sustained success and finally compete for championships. His familiarity teaching alongside a few of the NBA’s finest takes this partnership to the following stage and we’re excited to have Kenny information our staff and assist us obtain our objectives each on and off the courtroom.”
Previous to his time with the Warriors, Atkinson was an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers (2021-22) and the top coach of the Brooklyn Nets, the place he performed for 4 seasons (2016-2020). He ranks third all-time in Nets franchise historical past for video games coached (308) and fourth for wins (118). After Brooklyn posted a 20-62 document in his first season, Atkinson led the Nets to an eight-win enchancment in his second season. In 2018–19, Atkinson led Brooklyn to a 42–40 document and their first postseason berth since 2015. The 14-win enchancment represented the third-largest improve in victories amongst any NBA staff that season, and Brooklyn’s third straight season bettering its win-loss document, marking the primary time the Nets had performed so in three or extra consecutive seasons since 1990 to 1994.
His earlier expertise contains assistant teaching stops at Atlanta (2012-16), New York (2008-12) and one season as 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 squad with an equally shiny future. I noticed this group firsthand and needed to put together because the opposing coach, and the duty was not simple. I am so excited to now be on this aspect of the ledger and assist transfer this staff ahead. I’d additionally prefer to thank Koby Altman and the entrance workplace for his or her confidence in me and the shared imaginative and prescient now we have for sustainable success in Cleveland.”