1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Nets and Kenny Atkinson part ways

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by zeeshan2, Mar 7, 2020.

  1. zeeshan2

    zeeshan2 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2013
    Messages:
    48,031
    Likes Received:
    51,249


     
    #1 zeeshan2, Mar 7, 2020
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2020
    plutoblue11 likes this.
  2. J.R.

    J.R. Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2008
    Messages:
    106,788
    Likes Received:
    154,648
    Damn, he got a raw deal.
     
    plutoblue11 likes this.
  3. Fantasma Negro

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2011
    Messages:
    12,565
    Likes Received:
    10,832
    Wow, Atkinson is a good coach, very good with young guys. They're dealing with a lot of injuries, especially with Kyrie now out for the season I'm not sure what the expectations could've been considering the circumstances
     
  4. T.MAC

    T.MAC Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2013
    Messages:
    183
    Likes Received:
    274
    JB Bickerstaff's coming!
     
  5. malakas

    malakas Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2014
    Messages:
    20,167
    Likes Received:
    15,380
    Most stupid nba decision I have heard in a while.

    We all know why this really happened.
    Thanx Kyrie :rolleyes::rolleyes:
     
    LFE171, Mathloom, bj3175 and 2 others like this.
  6. ElPigto

    ElPigto Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2006
    Messages:
    14,680
    Likes Received:
    23,139
    Kenny would be a damn good choice if we don't bring back Mike DAntoni. I. Am totally for it.
     
  7. CircaSurvive

    CircaSurvive Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2009
    Messages:
    1,670
    Likes Received:
    2,179
    Pretty ****ed up, they just beat the Celtics in overtime after being down 20 and blew the Spurs out last night.
     
  8. bj3175

    bj3175 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2007
    Messages:
    2,431
    Likes Received:
    2,720
    What the heck is this. Is this real this guy is a brilliant coach. This is wrong
     
    malakas and plutoblue11 like this.
  9. Mr. Space City

    Joined:
    May 2, 2009
    Messages:
    31,041
    Likes Received:
    36,459
    Kyrie is a cancer
     
    Little Bit and plutoblue11 like this.
  10. jonasXV

    jonasXV Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2010
    Messages:
    220
    Likes Received:
    59
    Maybe a D'Antoni replacement?
     
  11. rocketchamp

    rocketchamp Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2012
    Messages:
    2,491
    Likes Received:
    2,192
    Mark Jackson please
     
    hakeem94 likes this.
  12. J.R.

    J.R. Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2008
    Messages:
    106,788
    Likes Received:
    154,648


    https://theathletic.com/1660769/

    Kenny Atkinson’s final game as coach of the Brooklyn Nets was a blowout win over the organization he tried to have his team emulate.

    The Nets announced a mutual parting of ways with their head coach on Saturday morning, just hours after Brooklyn blew out the San Antonio Spurs in a 139-120 win. Atkinson was in his fourth season with the team and his job security wasn’t considered to be in jeopardy, at least publicly. With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving out due to injury, the expectations were that Atkinson would get to coach the team at least into next season, when the Nets’ stars are expected to be fully healthy.

    Team sources told The Athletic that Nets players were extremely surprised by the decision and hadn’t been addressed on it as of Saturday morning. Assistant coach Jacque Vaughn is expected to take over the rest of the season.

    “After discussions with Kenny about the progress of the season, we mutually agreed that a coaching change would be in the best interest of the team,” said general manager Sean Marks. “This was an extremely difficult decision, however the organization believes it is one that is necessary at this time. Kenny was instrumental in developing our players and building the identity and culture we have become known for over these past four seasons. The foundation he helped put into place here is one that we will continue to build on in the coming seasons. We are forever grateful for all of Kenny’s hard work and dedication to the Nets and the Brooklyn community. Kenny, Laura and the Atkinson family will always remain a part of our Nets family and we wish them nothing but the best in the future.”

    Atkinson was Marks’ first coaching hire and came to Brooklyn to replace Lionel Hollins as both men were trying to move the organization forward after trading away a bounty of draft picks for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. An assistant in Atlanta under longtime Spurs assistant and current Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, Atkinson installed a team-friendly culture in the Nets locker room and emphasized player development.

    Under Atkinson, the Nets revitalized the careers of Joe Harris, Spencer Dinwiddie and D’Angelo Russell among others. He also helped turn Caris LeVert into a budding star. Atkinson won just 20 games his first season as head coach, but improved the Nets’ win total by eight games his second season. Last season, Russell led the Nets on a surprise playoff run that saw the team win 42 games. As much as the Nets improved under Atkinson, he still came under fire for being too married to his rotations, among other issues.

    As of Saturday, Atkinson put the Nets in position to make the playoffs, as the team is currently the No. 7 in the Eastern Conference with a 28-34 record. Atkinson has drawn more praise than criticism for his coaching job this season after Irving and LeVert missed over a combined 50 games due to injury. The news comes as a surprise because of the timing, with the Nets having just 20 games left in the regular season with an expected early playoff exit.

    League sources told The Athletic that the thought in the industry was that Atkinson’s job wouldn’t come under fire unless the Nets got off to a slow start next season with Irving and Durant.

    Durant, who hasn’t spoken to Nets beat writers since September, said when he agreed to sign with Brooklyn along with Irving and DeAndre Jordan, he looked up YouTube videos of Atkinson to get a feel for him as a coach. When Durant went on the YES Network during Wednesday’s loss to the Grizzlies, he reaffirmed that the Nets were in good hands with Atkinson.

    “We have good coaching,” he said.

    Atkinson was an adamant defender of Irving, who throughout the season occasionally put his foot in his mouth with the media. When it was reported that the Nets were uneasy about Irving’s mood swings, Atkinson said his star point guard was a great teammate and that the reports were false.

    Brooklyn’s next game is Sunday against Chicago, followed by a West Coast road trip. Vaughn was 58-158 in three years as coach of the Orlando Magic from 2012 to 2015. Marks is expected to address reporters on Saturday at practice.
     
    hakeem94 and malakas like this.
  13. TheRealist137

    TheRealist137 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2009
    Messages:
    33,340
    Likes Received:
    19,175
    Your 2020-2021 Houston Rockets head coach
     
    ElPigto, malakas and Nook like this.
  14. Nook

    Nook Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2008
    Messages:
    53,789
    Likes Received:
    111,505
    Wouldn’t be surprised if he is coaching the Rockets next year.
     
  15. ksny15

    ksny15 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2013
    Messages:
    14,766
    Likes Received:
    7,408
    Yes please
     
  16. Air Langhi

    Air Langhi Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2000
    Messages:
    21,617
    Likes Received:
    6,244
    He better be willing to take a minimum contract.
     
    hakeem94 likes this.
  17. HoustonCRT

    HoustonCRT Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2014
    Messages:
    1,101
    Likes Received:
    2,813
    Kyrie/KD must have wanted him gone, he's a good coach.
     
  18. zeeshan2

    zeeshan2 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2013
    Messages:
    48,031
    Likes Received:
    51,249
  19. malakas

    malakas Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2014
    Messages:
    20,167
    Likes Received:
    15,380
    SOME= Kyrie Irving.

    LOL at hiring Marc Jackson.
    In the end it doesnt mater how good your organisation is.
    As soon as you let a big snake in, it will end in ruin.
     
    Nook and ElPigto like this.
  20. ElPigto

    ElPigto Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2006
    Messages:
    14,680
    Likes Received:
    23,139
    I'm sure we will have competition from Minni. I can't imagine Gerson not wanting to jump on this.
     
    hakeem94 likes this.

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now