In a shocking move, the Nets announced on Saturday morning that the organization mutually parted ways with head coach Kenny Atkinson. It was an unexpected move for a Brooklyn team that – despite missing its two best players (Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant) – is still the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, albeit with a modest 28-34 record.
Plenty of fallout is expected as a result this move, with signals that Brooklyn is already planning for the 2020/21 campaign. Irving and Durant are expected to be healthy, which means the Nets will enter next season with elevated championship aspirations. Assistant coach Jacque Vaughn will take over as the club’s interim head coach but it will be key to watch who the Nets target to lead the team next season.
As we noted in our earlier story, general manager Sean Marks and Atkinson had a close relationship during his stint as head coach. Reports suggest that in addition to Atkinson reportedly losing part of the locker room, his discussions with Marks indicated a change was imminent. Now, Atkinson enters the market with a reputation for positive player development and developing a strong team culture.
Here’s from the hectic day in Brooklyn:
- During a press conference on Saturday afternoon, Marks said moving on from Atkinson was “a decision that Kenny, I and ownership came up with.” Marks added that Atkinson was a big part of building the culture the Nets have established over the past four seasons.
- Per Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (Twitter link), the final decision that led to Atkinson’s dismissal came from owner Joe Tsai. After reportedly meeting with Nets players, he made the call that it was time for Brooklyn to move on from Atkinson.
- Tsai issued a statement about Atkinson’s departure, tweeting, “I am extremely grateful to Kenny Atkinson for what he’s done for our franchise over the years. If we did not have him, we would not be where we are with promising young guys still improving. All the best Kenny.”
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A pair of former Nets, Jared Dudley and D’Angelo Russell — who were crucial in Brooklyn’s playoff season in 2018/19 — expressed shock over the move. Dudley tweeted “Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!” while Russell added a blank face emoji. While Dudley spent just season in Brooklyn, Russell developed into an All-Star under Atkinson.
JVG or Mark Jackson will get the nets job
Bulls need to hire this guy asap. Bulls fans will clean out Boylen’s locker and pay his Uber.
Hell, I will form a kickstarter to buy out Boyboy’s contract!
I never like to recommend that someone should be fired, but if the Bulls are already committed to making a coaching change, then I agree Atkinson would be an excellent hire.
Can see a number of trade demands by Friday. Don’t be surprised to see Marks jump ship either.
Bang Bang Irving’s Silver Hammer came down upon his head. What a scam job.
Should body slam Irving to the Bulls or Knicks, ASAP.
Why wouldn’t the GM resign before firing the HC if he was that set against it?
Uh, I think the Bulls would be happy to take Irving, just FYI, and would be immediate contenders, despite Boylen, in that scenario.
Language Police Alert: “notorious” usually has a negative connotation, not sure that is what Atkinson is.
Contenders for what? A playoff spot where they might get A win in their first round series?
Any chance Kenny goes to Minnesota to replace Saunders? They have good young talent and he shown the ability to groom them well. I’m not sure how good of a coach Saunders is, since I really don’t watch timberwolves games
Why do i feel Irving had a lot to do with this? He is like a cancer that just destroys the locker room.
Usually when a player wants a HC out doesn’t play well, Kyrie played the best of his career this season, so it makes no sense at all… rather I think as said he lost part of the locker room as he made some baffling decisions like how he played Allen/DJ, playing so much Chandler & TPW instead of Kurucs & Musa, also playing too much Dinwiddie when Kyrie was healthy, all this mistakes lost him the locker room which makes it understandable that he lost his job.
Just the easy for fans as always is jump to the bandwagon & follow narratives, the one for today is all hate Kyrie, meanwhile don’t you let the facts derail your hate.
Maybe.. maybe not. I know Kyrie is everyones favorites punching bag but reality is he is not responsible for all evil in the world like some make it out to be.
Maybe the new owner thinks Pro teams in the US work the same as in China ?
Sure doesn’t seem that out of touch or dumb, given his current wealth.
This reeks of a players revolt of unhappy campers.
You can bet it didn’t happen without KD and Irving’s total blessings.
Kyrie HAS to be behind this.
Whoever betted on KD and Kyrie never playing together on the Nets probably is going to cake big off it.
It must be said, that mostly Asian-raised Tsai may have different expectations than an American manager. He himself succeeded with loyalty and may not be feeling it with some players. So that would influence Marks.
“lost part of the lockerroom”
I would like to know which part!
It must be said?
Is that because non Asians are all the same or because Americans aren’t used to loyalty being a factor in business decisions?
Not really. But due to interspecies viruses, Chinesians may be more than usual sensitive about criticism. (Or the word “chinesian” but what else is there!) A mainstream journalist may prefer avoiding a PC controversy by pointing at Tsai, even though it MAY be Tsai not Marks who made the call.
More to come on that story presumably. By why would an owner let an underling personality dispute determine who he employs at HC?– He had to agree. Did they burn to try out that interim coach?– I doubt it.
*I meant the MSM may point to Marks instead of Tsai in order to avoid criticizing someone from China at this time. Or ever, really. Most people approve of Atkinson so would disapprove of whoever fired him.*
The owner met with the players? Did I read that right? Talk about dysfunction. If Tsai is that involved the Nets have big problems.
Knicks need to hire Atkinson stat!
Knox, Frank, Mitchell and RJ are spinning their wheels. If any coach can develop them, it’s this guy.
Kyrie virus. It is lethal. 100% kill rate.
Curse of Kyrie strikes again…….
He lost the locker room…what have those punks won???? Owner listening to them? KI/KD….coach killers. Mark Jackson is way overdue for another opportunity.
Mark Jackson….over due for opportunity.
Scallions
Prospective coach’s dilemma…I get to coach a team with KD on it but it also has Kyrie Irving. Kyrie should be the player version of James Dolan. Proceed with caution.
Lakers will take him as part of our all star staff
They have high expectations next yr. Looks like Kyrie n Durant to me. He helped build this team. Better know what they are doing. Kills me Fizdale gets axed. And there is all this nonsense directed at Knicks. He deserved to go. Atkinson gets fired and it’s all quite. Shows you ignorance of media. NY sells Bklyn doesn’t I guess. Bklyn might be imploding already. Kyrie or Durant are NOT Bron. Only Bron can name a coach lols.
Durant and kyrie.. are they really worth the headache? Boston goes to confirm finals with him injured and look at them this year.. Kd needed to join gs to get ring.. couldnt won with Westbrook, Ibaka or harden..