The real education of an NBA head coach doesn’t begin with a trophy — it begins with a termination. For Kenny Atkinson, that harsh truth became the spark that led to a remarkable transformation.
In 2020, Atkinson was let go by the Brooklyn Nets just 20 games before the season ended. At the time, he was a local hero — raised in Long Island, coaching a team minutes from where he grew up. But the NBA can be brutally unforgiving. Even though he helped rebuild the Nets from league bottom-feeders to playoff contenders, once stars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving arrived, Atkinson was ousted in a “mutual decision” — a polite euphemism for being fired.
“That one hurt,” Atkinson admitted. “Hurt me, hurt my family. I’m a local. I wanted to stay there long.”
He never coached Durant, who was recovering from surgery, and barely had Irving on the floor, yet the front office questioned his relationship with the team’s new superstars. Just like that, his dream job disappeared.
But being fired — as painful as it was — became the pivotal moment in Atkinson’s coaching journey.
He reset. First, as an assistant with the Clippers under Tyronn Lue. Then, with the Warriors, joining Steve Kerr’s staff and learning from a dynasty built on strong culture, humility, and excellence. In Golden State, Atkinson watched up close how stars like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green carried themselves under pressure. He soaked it all in.
“I observed Steve’s communication, how he relates to star players,” Atkinson said. “I learned from Steph and Draymond — how they reacted in the Finals when down 2-0 to Boston. I wasn’t too proud to learn.”
Those years of reflection and growth prepared him for his next opportunity — and he waited for the right one. Atkinson even turned down the Hornets’ head coaching job to protect his family from another sudden cross-country move.
When the Cleveland Cavaliers called last summer, it all aligned. And the results have been stunning.
Atkinson led the Cavs to a league-best 64 wins, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, and now holds the 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year award — a fitting reward for someone who rebuilt himself as much as he rebuilt a team.
“It’s crazy how you can go to another place and it turns out to be the best for you,” Atkinson reflected.
The NBA is a volatile world — just ask Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins, or Michael Malone, all fired despite recent success. But for Atkinson, being shown the door in Brooklyn wasn’t the end. It was the beginning of a deeper understanding of leadership, ego management, and patience.
He may have needed to get fired — but now, he’s finally arrived.
