The Cavaliers announced Tuesday that the team will retain head coach Kenny Atkinson, despite heavy criticism following the team being swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Final.
Postgame, Atkinson praised his roster and players on their highly successful season, and his players, in kind, spoke of their affection for the head coach.
The Cavs were the 4-seed in the conference and upset the No. 1-seed Pistons in the conference semifinals, winning Game 7 in Detroit. That momentum seemed to carry over into Game 1 of the ECF at Madison Square Garden, but the Cavs could not hold a 23-point fourth-quarter lead before losing by 11 in overtime. They were competitive early in Games 2 and 3, but the Knicks went on long second-half runs to record decisive victories in each and blew out the Cavs at Rocket Arena in Game 4 Monday night.
Atkinson and the Cavs were sharply criticized and even mocked by analysts and fans, with an objective lack of effort in the second half of Game 3 and no energy in the must-win Game 4, with no tactical changes employed in either.
My take: Everything was great, right until the ECF. The Knicks are operating at a high level right now, winning 11 straight, but it was the lack of competitiveness that jumped out. James Harden claimed postgame that the Cavs were the better team, which made the whole situation worse. Atkinson's earned another year, at least, going 116-48 in his two seasons at Cleveland's helm.
THE ASYLUM
Cavs retaining Atkinson
The Cavaliers announced Tuesday that the team will retain head coach Kenny Atkinson, despite heavy criticism following the team being swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Final.
Postgame, Atkinson praised his roster and players on their highly successful season, and his players, in kind, spoke of their affection for the head coach.
The Cavs were the 4-seed in the conference and upset the No. 1-seed Pistons in the conference semifinals, winning Game 7 in Detroit. That momentum seemed to carry over into Game 1 of the ECF at Madison Square Garden, but the Cavs could not hold a 23-point fourth-quarter lead before losing by 11 in overtime. They were competitive early in Games 2 and 3, but the Knicks went on long second-half runs to record decisive victories in each and blew out the Cavs at Rocket Arena in Game 4 Monday night.
Atkinson and the Cavs were sharply criticized and even mocked by analysts and fans, with an objective lack of effort in the second half of Game 3 and no energy in the must-win Game 4, with no tactical changes employed in either.
My take: Everything was great, right until the ECF. The Knicks are operating at a high level right now, winning 11 straight, but it was the lack of competitiveness that jumped out. James Harden claimed postgame that the Cavs were the better team, which made the whole situation worse. Atkinson's earned another year, at least, going 116-48 in his two seasons at Cleveland's helm.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits!
We’d love to have you!