Sometimes a coach’s biggest break comes after his toughest fall. That’s the story of Kenny Atkinson, who went from being let go by the Brooklyn Nets to leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 64-win season and earning 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year.
Atkinson’s journey took a major turn in 2020 when he was dismissed by the Nets — a team he had painstakingly rebuilt from the ground up. His firing was masked as a “mutual decision,” but it stung. Born in Long Island, Atkinson saw his tenure with the Nets as a homecoming dream. But after clashing with superstar egos, and amid injuries to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, he was out with 20 games left in the season.
“That one hurt,” Atkinson admitted. “You’ve got to sit down with your kids and tell them you’ve been fired. It hits different when it’s your hometown.”
From there, Atkinson rebuilt himself. He joined the Clippers as an assistant, then moved on to the Warriors under Steve Kerr, soaking up lessons from championship veterans and fellow coaches. During that time, he even turned down a head coaching offer from Charlotte — choosing stability for his family and more learning time under Kerr.
“I observed how Steve communicates with stars, how Draymond and Steph handle pressure. I was a sponge,” said Atkinson. That education, combined with past hardship, shaped the coach who eventually said yes to the Cavaliers job in 2024.
Cleveland wasn’t a rebuilding team. They had Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and playoff aspirations. What they lacked was cohesion. Atkinson gave them that, introducing a system that emphasized motion, balance, and shared responsibility.
Mitchell bought in immediately: “He put in a system everyone believed in. He gave us confidence.”
Garland echoed that sentiment: “Everyone knows their role. He rewards hard work.”
Atkinson’s evolution as a coach — from a tough-minded, hands-on developer in Brooklyn to a more measured, player-empowering leader in Cleveland — came at the right moment for both sides. He credits his time with Kerr and Ty Lue for broadening his approach.
“I needed to get fired,” he said. “I needed to go through all that to be ready for this. I feel super confident now in my own skin.”
His ability to communicate, connect, and adjust was key. Under his leadership, Cleveland didn’t just win — they grew. Mobley turned into a defensive cornerstone, and overlooked players like Ty Jerome emerged as contributors.
The NBA coaching carousel can be ruthless. This season alone saw championship-winning coaches like Mike Budenholzer, Michael Malone, and Frank Vogel lose their jobs. Atkinson knows all too well the precariousness of the position.
“It’s a delicate balance. You need ownership, the front office, and the coaching staff all aligned. If anything’s off, it falls apart.”
That’s why he’s savoring this moment. Atkinson may not have envisioned Cleveland as the destination where everything would click, but he understands the irony.
“Funny how life works,” he said with a grin. “Right time, right place.”
And this time, he’s not just surviving in the NBA. He’s thriving.
