Atkinson was an assistant to the Atlanta Hawks this season.
On May 11, 2008, the NBA approved the sale of the New Jersey Nets to Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov. Nearly two years later to the date, Prokhorov moved the franchise across state lines into Brooklyn. Playing in a brand new arena with a re-energized fan base, Brooklyn spent and spent on free agents en route to playing the league’s top luxury tax payment ever in the 2013-14 season: $90.57 million.
Surely, this seemingly reborn franchise must be wildly successful — right?
On Monday, April 18, the Brooklyn Nets named Atlanta Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson its head coach. Atkinson played professionally in Europe after going undrafted out of Richmond in 1990, competing for 17 clubs from 1990-2004. In 2004, he made the transition from the court to the sideline as an assistant for Paris Basket Racing, where he coached until 2006.
Atkinson’s newest rival, the New York Knicks gave Atkinson his first shot in the NBA as an assistant coach under Mike D’Antoni, and the former Spider spent four seasons under D’Antoni’s tutelage. The Knicks reached the postseason once during his tenure, and following D’Antoni’s dismissal, Atkinson made his way south to Atlanta.
Larry Drew was the head coach of the Hawks in 2012, and Atkinson spent one year with Drew before former Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer took over in 2013. The Hawks hold a .593 winning percentage since Budenholzer took over, and have played in 19 playoff games.
Atkinson is a well-respected head coach who has coached in a variety of different systems under a trio of unique head coaches. Is this what Brooklyn needs?
Avery Johnson made the transition from New Jersey to Brooklyn with the franchise, but lasted only 28 games before management made a change. The history in Brooklyn is very new, yet Atkinson will be the sixth head coach in control since the relocation.
I’ll pause a moment to allow you to re-read that.
Six!
The Nets have won just over 46 percent of their games since the move, despite paying outrageous luxury taxes and still missing a flurry a draft choices. The situation in Brooklyn is a tough one, and the franchise needs a head coach that can step in, establish a system and grow organically.
The Nets roster itself is prime for a rebuild. Atkinson, who has had his fair share of success around the league, was a solid choice. He has long been among the rumored assistant coaches to be ready for a head coaching position. The shaky state of the franchise will let Atkinson do what he does best: develop players.
Atkinson isn’t the sexy hire, but let’s be honest – Jeff Van Gundy, Tom Thibodeau and Scott Brooks were never going to be interested in this job. Immediate expectations would have applied for a roster that simply is not built to compete for a few years.
The Hawks have been a model franchise for excelling without a star player, and that is just what Atkinson will be striving for in Brooklyn. Now let’s see if Prokhorov can be patient enough to let it play out.
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