SAN FRANCISCO — Though a leaf fell off Steve Kerr’s teaching tree this week with the firing of Mike Brown, the department on the town for the Warriors’ matchup towards the Cavaliers has by no means been extra fruitful.
Kenny Atkinson, who spent the earlier three seasons on Golden State’s bench as an assistant, has led the Cavaliers to an NBA-best 27-4 file. Because the calendar flips to 2025, Atkinson and the Cavaliers have been the story of the league, with the top-rated offense and a top-10 protection.
After profitable 48 video games and a second-round exit, Cleveland stored its roster intact however introduced in Atkinson. The outcomes have been marvelous.
With out Atkinson’s three years sitting subsequent to Kerr on the Warriors’ bench, it won’t look fairly the identical.
“This was finishing school for me,” Atkinson mentioned pregame at Chase Middle. “As a coach, I don’t think I was a complete coach until I came here and, quite honestly, learned from the best. The best players, the best coach. I was an observer, really, most of the time. I got a lot more out of this than anything I brought to the table. It was just great. Like I said, it completed me as a coach.”
Atkinson was on the bench for Golden State’s capstone fourth championship in 2022. That yr was his introduction to Kerr’s tradition.
Atkinson famous the enjoyment Kerr fosters, the championship transfer he has made, his emotional management in huge video games and his means to educate star gamers as key attributes he tried to study.
After which, after all, his Phil Jackson tales. Atkinson’s eyes lit up when requested about a number of the extra notably lasting anecdotes he picked up.
He remembers the teachings about how Jackson — and Kerr — would contact everybody on the roster with their teaching, not simply the perfect gamers. The Bulls’ passing, and Kerr’s evolution of bringing triangle components into his Warriors system, was magical for a coach to see up shut.
“And just most importantly, Steve was the ultimate role player, right?” Atkinson mentioned. “I think it was every two weeks he had kind of the ‘Steve Kerr speech.’ Like, everybody has to be ready, everybody has to sacrifice so we can get to a championship level. What was great about Steve was he lived it. He lived that role player situation over and over. So guys would nod their heads, they understood. Especially that championship year, all our role players (were great). I remember thinking, ‘It’s about time he gives his role player speech.’ That was great, I learned a lot from that.”
Atkinson had been a head coach for 4 seasons in Brooklyn and a number of other extra as an assistant earlier than that previous to becoming a member of Kerr’s employees. However he wanted that final graduate-level course with Professor Kerr.
“I’m happy for him, number one,” Kerr mentioned. “Kenny’s a great guy and a great friend, and he brought so much to us. He helped us win a championship in 2022. He’s a phenomenal coach on both sides of the ball, he’s intense. He was really a great fit for us, so I always root for him.”
Notable
– With the best way Kerr was describing it, Brandin Podziemski’s proper stomach pressure is gentle. MRI scans got here again clear and the group is terming him day-to-day after the Cleveland recreation.
With out Podziemski on Monday, the Warriors will doubtless stagger Dennis Schroder and Steph Curry much more, maintaining no less than one on the ground always. Kyle Anderson may additionally get spot minutes as an offense initiator.
– With Trayce Jackson-Davis rising over the previous couple weeks and Jonathan Kuminga starring with back-to-back 34-point video games, Kerr mentioned, “I probably feel better about our young group now than I ever have.”
“I mentioned the other night I think Jonathan is having a breakthrough, just his recognition of what’s happening,” Kerr mentioned. “I think Trayce is making a leap. I love BP, what he brings to the table: his grit, his toughness, his basketball I.Q..”
– Former Warrior Ty Jerome is averaging 10.3 factors and three.5 assists per recreation on 51/42/89 taking pictures splits with the Cavs.
Initially Printed: December 30, 2024 at 6:35 PM PST
