The Cleveland Cavaliers officially introduced Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach on Monday. In a 40-minute session with reporters, Atkinson discussed his vision for the team, player development, coaching philosophy, and interactions with players like Donovan Mitchell. He expressed excitement about coaching a talented roster and emphasized the importance of adapting to the changing NBA landscape.
Atkinson addressed the potential of playing two big men like Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen together, drawing on his experience with versatile lineups at Golden State. He highlighted the need to maximize the talent on the team, including nurturing young stars like Darius Garland and developing Evan Mobley’s diverse skill set.
Reflecting on his time with the Brooklyn Nets and subsequent coaching experiences, Atkinson acknowledged the need for growth and adaptation in his coaching approach. He emphasized building relationships with players as a key component of player development and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Cavaliers at this exciting time for the franchise.
Atkinson outlined his plan to assess the team’s strengths and weaknesses, make tactical adjustments, and focus on individual player development to elevate the Cavaliers to the next level. His goal is to build on the existing basketball and defensive identity of the team while finding ways to improve and make strategic adjustments. Overall, Atkinson is enthusiastic about the challenge ahead and looks forward to working with the talented roster in Cleveland.
Source
Photo credit www.cleveland.com