The Charlotte Hornets just hired Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson as their head coach to supplant James Borrego after four years at the helm. Borrego posted a mediocre 138-163 record during his tenure, but he did help the team improve by 10 wins in each of the last two years.
Unfortunately, Borrego was only able to lead the Hornets to the play-in tournament two years in a row, getting blown out each time. Atkinson seems like he could be the perfect fit for a team on the rise. Just think back to his years as the Brooklyn Nets head coach for their young core headlined by D'Angelo Russell, which paved the way for the additions of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
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Why Kenny Atkinson was the right pick for Hornets
3. LaMelo Ball is in luck
Atkinson helped guide the Nets to a playoff berth for the first time since their failed superteam experiment with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. The Nets were a sixth seed in the 2018-19 season and went 42-40. Atkinson helped Russell form into an All-Star, with the guard averaging 21.1 points and 7.0 assists in 2018-19. Imagine what system Atkinson will be able to craft around a burgeoning superstar in LaMelo Ball.
No shade to Russell, but Ball is already better than him and is a more versatile offensive player. Plus, after spending a season on Steve Kerr's staff coaching Stephen Curry, Atkinson is sure to have a lot of different ways to use his new young point guard and the rest of the young core.
2. Charlotte didn't need Mike D'Antoni
As impressive of a track record that Mike D'Antoni has, it was smart to pass on the former Houston Rockets head coach. Although D'Antoni has had success during his career, he is most known for being an offensive coach. The Hornets' main problems were on the defensive side of the ball over the past few seasons. Atkinson is a more balanced coach who can help influence both ends of the court.
In this era of basketball, D'Antoni can certainly coach in this league, but he was not the right fit in Charlotte despite the tantalizing prospect of him coaching LaMelo Ball. He is an excellent coach who can elevate a team's offense from Day 1. The team just has to be on the cusp of figuring it all out and the team has to have the right veterans on board. Charlotte needed a coach to develop a young core, and that is what Atkinson will do.
1. What to expect in Year 1 of the Atkinson-Ball duo
LaMelo Ball was quoted a few times in the 2021-22 season about “not having the keys” to the offense fully. It's hard to imagine that he won't get that wish with a new leader who knows the value of a franchise player. In 2022, the Hornets were ranked as a top-five scoring offense, but it could take an even bigger step up as Ball's responsibility grows. As an organization, it is safe to assume that the main plan is to keep Ball happy at all times, which should be an easy task.
Atkinson will be able to get Ball and the others to commit on the other side of the ball as well. The Hornets should take a leap up in the Eastern Conference standings with Atkinson at the helm and with the right offseason moves. They could very well make some playoff noise if things go right.
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