CLEVELAND (OH) – 448 miles separate Brooklyn’s Barclays Center from Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. That distance represents much more than geography. It tells the story of reinvention, perseverance, and an unlikely rise to the top. Kenny Atkinson, once the promising head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, now holds the 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year title—thanks to his stellar season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
How 448 Miles Helped Kenny Atkinson Win Coach Of The Year Award
From Brooklyn Exit to Cleveland Arrival
Atkinson’s exit from the Nets wasn’t glamorous. He left with 20 games remaining in the 2019-20 season. Officially, the decision was mutual. Unofficially, it was a firing driven by uncertainty over whether stars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving fully supported him. Despite a 28-34 record and limited availability of those stars, the Nets made a change.
The loss stung. Atkinson, a Long Island native, had considered the Brooklyn job his dream. “That one hurt,” he admitted. His family was settled. He felt blindsided. But in the NBA, coaching can be unforgiving. Jobs disappear quickly. Trust erodes faster.
Starting Over, the Hard Way
After leaving Brooklyn, Atkinson didn’t leap back into another head coaching role. He took an assistant job with the Clippers, working under Ty Lue. That year helped him reset. Then Steve Kerr called. Atkinson joined the Warriors, learning from a championship culture in Golden State.
All the while, he waited for the right opportunity. That call came from Cleveland in 2024. The Cavaliers needed a new leader after parting ways with J.B. Bickerstaff. Atkinson flew back and forth between Cleveland and France, where he worked with the French national team, for interviews. He pitched a clear vision: the Cavaliers already had the talent—they just needed a better system.
Immediate Impact in Cleveland
Atkinson’s belief in Cleveland’s roster paid off. The Cavaliers won 64 games and secured the top seed in the East. They opened the season 15-0 and swept 17 teams in the regular season. Kenny Atkinson’s Coach of the Year momentum started to build by midseason.
He didn’t just ride the talent; he optimized it. Atkinson reduced minutes for stars like Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley, keeping them fresher. He adjusted the rotation so Mobley played more alongside Mitchell, improving chemistry. Mobley blossomed, tripling his made threes and earning Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Unlocking the Entire Roster
Under Atkinson’s guidance, the Cavaliers produced three All-Stars: Mitchell, Mobley, and Darius Garland. The bench thrived too. Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter had career-best seasons. The key? Atkinson increased role-player usage while easing the load on top players.
Training camp set the tone. Held at IMG Academy in Florida, the early practices focused on faster play and team bonding. Atkinson wanted the Cavaliers to move with pace, and they responded. By the playoffs, the team was rolling.
Cleveland swept the Miami Heat in the first round, winning by a record 122-point margin. That domination solidified Atkinson’s case for Coach of the Year. He also earned the National Basketball Coaches Association honor, voted on by his peers.
Kenny Atkinson’s Hard Lesson Turns into Coach of the Year Redemption
Atkinson knows how quickly things can change. Other coaches weren’t so lucky this season. Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins, and Michael Malone all lost jobs despite past success. The lesson? Wins don’t guarantee stability. Atkinson used his previous firing to fuel growth.
His journey proves resilience pays off. He went from being dismissed by a hometown team to winning the most prestigious coaching honor. Kenny Atkinson’s Coach of the Year status didn’t come easy—it came through adaptation, humility, and execution.
A Future Defined by Trust and Vision
Cleveland found a coach who believes in structure and teamwork. Atkinson stayed true to his values. He didn’t chase stars or egos—he built around what was already there. That approach revived his career and elevated a franchise on the rise.
He didn’t need to be a superstar whisperer. He needed to be a system builder. That’s what made him the ideal leader for Cleveland. His Coach of the Year isn’t just a title. It’s a reward for rebuilding not only a team, but himself.
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