Kenny Atkinson to the Cavs

[spider23]

Yes, Celtics started out crazy hot and Cleveland battled back and eventually just took over. Kenny is bringing out the best in this team. I knew he came from a big family with a lot of brothers and sisters, they mentioned that 3 or 4 of his brothers were basketball coaches too. True basketball legend and good guy. Still remember being a freshman and running into him a few times and he would talk hoops with you as long as you wanted.

 

[spider23]

A little Spider on Spider crime?

Looks like the other ref actually Teed up Kenny. But you can see his former back court mate Curtis in the picture when he gets ejected.

Edit: tried sharing link but just generic ESPN app link.

 

[Deep in Central Time]

Earlier this year in a game Blair was reffing as the Cavs walked off the court at half, TV caught Atkinson laying into Blair pretty hard. I don’t think Atkinson’s personality will stop him from getting on anyone.

 

[GKiller]

A little Spider on Spider crime?

Looks like the other ref actually Teed up Kenny. But you can see his former back court mate Curtis in the picture when he gets ejected.

Edit: tried sharing link but just generic ESPN app link.

saw it. directed at other ref primarily and other one T'd him up but yeah CB was in the mix and Kenny gave some to him too. it was a horrible missed call. Kenny was rightfully pissed. a good ejection at this part of season to get his guys back prior to playoffs.

 

[spiderstudent17]

Congrats Kenny!

 

[spider23]

Cavs just absolutely trucked the "Heat Culture". I am seeing an epic Eastern Conference finals in another round. Honestly think they have a good shot to win the whole thing - but tough path to get by Boston and then a tough OKC team in finals. Key vs Celtics could be that the Cavs have home court. I do think good chance that one goes 7 games.

 

[GKiller]

Meant to post this when I first saw it…classic lol…just imagine what this program could be if we had a Kenny Atkinson

 

[spiderstudent17]

Has there been a UR bball tweet acknowledging Kenny’s coach of the year award? Feels like that’s something we should do.

 

[Section9.RowD]

Atkinson wins Coach of Year in debut with Cavs

Cleveland's Kenny Atkinson, who watched from the sideline as Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley had All-Star seasons for the Cavaliers, has been named the NBA Coach of the Year after leading the team to 64 wins and the top seed in the East.

www.espn.com

 

[spiderstudent17]

Has there been a UR bball tweet acknowledging Kenny’s coach of the year award? Feels like that’s something we should do.

 

[GKiller]

Good article on Kenny here.

haha Kenny on UR..."Every time I dribble between my legs or throw a behind-the-back pass in practice, five coaches scream"

Former Richmond Spiders star Kenny Atkinson wins NBA Coach of the Year

Kenny Atkinson went through a winless preseason with the Cleveland Cavaliers and wondered if his team would be any good.

richmond.com

 

[SpiderGuy]

Is Curtis Blair allowed to ref Cleveland games?
😅

I was hanging out with Curtis the other day and mentioned this thread. I believe Curtis played at same time as Kenny.

 

[gcarter52]

I was hanging out with Curtis the other day and mentioned this thread. I believe Curtis played at same time as Kenny.

Curtis Blair was a Sophomore during Kenny’s Senior Year (89-90).

 

[spider23]

Ughh, not looking great for the Cavs. Lot of injuries but they had that game won and let slip away. Need to let these guys not playing know this is the playoffs, gotta play.

 

[VT4700]

Damn, Cavs. Maybe the worst NBA collapse ever.

 

[spiderstudent17]

 

[SpiderTrap]

Great honor for Kenny and something UR should highlight and market the heck out of every chance they get. There should be a game next year to honor Kenny, try to bring him back to campus or at least play a video on the scoreboard to honor him and show some of his UR highlights, and time with the Cavs.

 

[SpiderGuy]

I saw Curtis the other day. He will be reffing Kenny’s Cleveland team at Indiana today (Sunday). Two former Spiders👍.

 

[spider23]

Pretty cool. Two all time greats.

Pulling for the Cavs. Big bounce back win last game.

 

[SFspidur]

Coach of the Year needs to figure things out in a hurry. Down 41 at the half, gonna be down 3–1 in the series.

 

[spider23]

Yep another ugly game.

 

[SFspidur]

Enjoy the offseason, Coach.

 

[MrTbone]

Bummer

 

[spider23]

Yep tough end to the season. Kenny did have a great regular season, winning coach of the year. Really establishing himself as a top coach in the game. Thought he did a super job with the Nets too. Was hoping to see a Cavs vs Celtics ECF.

 

[urfan1]

Yep tough end to the season. Kenny did have a great regular season, winning coach of the year. Really establishing himself as a top coach in the game. Thought he did a super job with the Nets too. Was hoping to see a Cavs vs Celtics ECF.

Hopefully they beef up the roster in off season.

 

[97spiderfan]

Hopefully they beef up the roster in off season.

That was a Mooney like postseason experience put in by the Cavs and Atkinson. Cavs were the best team in the East all year, would have been no shame to losing the Celtics in the Finals but to be hammered in 5 by a Pacers team with little star power is embarrassing. Give the Pacers credit they are hot and playing well together, but the Cavs just rolled over. Too many guys on that team were load managing the playoffs too.

 

[spider23]

Yep, not a great 2nd round. They seemed to get hit bad with injury bug into the playoffs. Conversely, I don't think Kobe or MJ would have sat out with some of those injuries, but who knows. Carlisle is a good coach too. I think KA got the best out of some of these guys regular season, but a few just do not have the playoff mettle needed to win. Jarrett Allen is a guy that has all the physical tools but really fades in big spots, and those UVA boys did not really show in the playoffs. But it falls on the HC to get it done.

 

[97spiderfan]

Yep, not a great 2nd round. They seemed to get hit bad with injury bug into the playoffs. Conversely, I don't think Kobe or MJ would have sat out with some of those injuries, but who knows. Carlisle is a good coach too. I think KA got the best out of some of these guys regular season, but a few just do not have the playoff mettle needed to win. Jarrett Allen is a guy that has all the physical tools but really fades in big spots, and those UVA boys did not really show in the playoffs. But it falls on the HC to get it done.

All good points. As much as I like the NBA, the number of injuries that occur that impact players sitting out actual playoff games is just astounding these days. Yes, Kobe and MJ would have certainly laced them up. You think Jokic is sitting out a playoff game unless his leg is broke, I don't. No other sport is quite like this. Guys in the NFL, NHL will literally take all sorts of pain killers to suit up in playoff game. NBA if you sprain your ankle your out for 2-3 games in a 7 game series.

Pacers are fun team though. They play well together and we will see if you can assemble a team with a bunch of really good players but no top end talent and win a chip.

 

[plydogg]

I only got to watch the final 5 minutes of the Cavs game, but I did watch the entire OKC game. I don’t think there was one possession the entire game where somebody wasn’t complaining about a call or non-call from the ref. NBA needs to fix that, it is such a turn off to a casual fan (me).

 

[spider23]

I only got to watch the final 5 minutes of the Cavs game, but I did watch the entire OKC game. I don’t think there was one possession the entire game where somebody wasn’t complaining about a call or non-call from the ref. NBA needs to fix that, it is such a turn off to a casual fan (me).

Agree Ply. I'm not a hard core NBA fan either, but certain players complain EVERY SINGLE TIME they drive to the hoop. Every Time. I guess the refs are counseled to just talk to them and put up with it , but it is extremely hard to watch some games, or most games.

 

[spiderman]

I'm amazed at how physical they've let it get. it's like the 90's all over again.
none of the screens are what we'd call legal in college ... all moving and holding. a ton of grabbing and pushing on rebounds.

nobody wants all the fouls called and we don't want to watch a free throw shooting contest, but it's a man's game today. it's like football players playing pickup hoops in the park with no refs.

I hear a lot of people say they don't like the NBA, but I love it. the athleticism and skill levels are off the charts.

 

[SpiderGuy]

I'm amazed at how physical they've let it get. it's like the 90's all over again.
none of the screens are what we'd call legal in college ... all moving and holding. a ton of grabbing and pushing on rebounds.

nobody wants all the fouls called and we don't want to watch a free throw shooting contest, but it's a man's game today. it's like football players playing pickup hoops in the park with no refs.

I hear a lot of people say they don't like the NBA, but I love it. the athleticism and skill levels are off the charts.

The game seems to have evolved to be more physical. If they called everything, there would be no players left at end of the game. BTW - Curtis reffed that game with Denver vs Oklahoma last night after doing the Cavs game a few nights earlier.