The Cleveland Cavaliers have had one of the most successful seasons in the franchise’s illustrious history. The Cavaliers won 64 games in the regular season, finishing as the first seed in the Eastern Conference. While the players such as Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland are a massive reason for the team’s success, there’s another key figure to be credited. That’s none other than their head coach, Kenny Atkinson. The Cavaliers’ head coach has transformed a good team into a great one. He has helped Cleveland become one of the best offensive teams in the league and has also improved the defense drastically. So, it’s only right that Kenny Atkinson got his flowers.

The National Basketball Coaches Association announces the recipient of the prestigious Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year award every year. This year, the choice was clear, and Cleveland’s boss, Kenny Atkinson, has been given the honor. “Kenny Atkinson has long been respected by his peers as an innovative and humble servant to the game,” said NBCA President Rick Carlisle. “Congratulations to Kenny on a historic season, along with this prestigious recognition by his peers.” It’s massive news for the 57-year-old head coach, who’s done a brilliant job at Cleveland. He’s achieved a massive 16-win improvement from last season, and this also is the first time the Cavs have breached the 60-win mark without a certain No. 23 on their roster.

As you’d expect, the Cleveland HC was truly grateful to the NBCA for this incredible honor and reflected upon his journey in the coaching circuit. “Coaching the game of basketball has been an amazing journey for me and my family, and to be recognized by my peers for a job well done this season is extremely humbling,” Atkinson stated. “I’ve had the pleasure of coaching some amazing players over my career, and I would not be in this position without their commitment and sacrifice for the greater good of themselves and the Cleveland Cavaliers.” He also thanked his coaching staff and their efforts that have helped him achieve so much success with the Cavaliers this season.

Atkinson is truly deserving of this honor for his incredible hard work and dedication. He has helped Cleveland make a massive leap, that too! In just his first season at the helm. While Kenny Atkinson has bagged the prestigious NBCA Coach of the Year award, the NBA’s Coach of the Year is yet to be announced. Atkinson is also one of the top candidates to win that award. OKC’s Mark Daigneault won the NBCA honor last year and went on to win the NBA honor as well. So did Mike Brown and Monty Williams. So, will Kenny Atkinson follow the same trajectory? Only time will tell. Speaking of the NBA, Atkinson’s shooting guard, Donovan Mitchell, isn’t happy with an Adam Silver decision.

Donovan Mitchell is questioning Adam Silver’s playoff decision

On Friday, the NBA play-in tournament concluded with the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat securing the last two spots in this season’s playoff battle. For us as fans, the play-in tournament is like an exciting prelude to the playoffs. Since its commencement in 2020, the play-in tournament has become a trailer for the playoffs. It brings the excitement, the drama, and the chaos of the playoffs packed into a small tournament. The teams are pitted against each other in one-and-done games, making every game a do-or-die. While it’s great for viewers, Donovan Mitchell thinks it’s a bit harsh on the top-seeded teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers.

While on the New Heights podcast hosted by NFL players and brothers Jason and Travis Kelce, Mitchell discussed the cons of the play-in for the first and second-seeded teams. “I think it’s good from a viewing standpoint, from like an intensity standpoint, from a you know, every game. Like, you look at the last game, the Warriors-Clippers, like all eyes were on that game. Like you know what I’m saying, like so. I think from that standpoint, it’s phenomenal. As a one and two seed, not so much because then we gotta wait till Friday to kind of figure out what we’re doing.” Mitchell Stated. Indeed, that’s true, the first and second seeds have to wait much longer for their opponents.

Moreover, they get less time to prepare when compared to the lower seeds, who know they’re opposition much earlier. Meanwhile, Mitchell also acknowledged that viewership-wise wise Adam Silver’s decision to introduce the play-in tournament is fantastic. However, from a player standpoint, it’s not that great because you don’t know who you’re going to face until very late. Well, despite Donovan Mitchell not being in favor of the play-in tournament, he and the Cavaliers will have to gear up for their clash against the Heat on Saturday as they continue their hunt for the championship.

“