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San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich fielded questions about Kenny Atkinson's recent departure from the Brooklyn Nets, lauding Atkinson for his basketball smarts.
Popovich said Atkinson's work ethic is “off the charts” and said he hopes Atkinson would land on his feet with another team in the near future.
Gregg Popovich on Kenny Atkinson’s departure from Brooklyn.
“He did a good job. His work ethic is off the charts. He did a good job taking them to the next step. Hopefully someone else will realize he’s a very talented young man.” pic.twitter.com/MChAXizkWI
— Christopher Lavinio (@ChrisLavinio) March 8, 2020
Atkinson and the Nets mutually agreed to part ways on Saturday amid rumors he had lost the confidence of some players in the locker room.
The decision to move forward still came as a surprise. Atkinson had helped lead an overachieving Nets team to 42 wins and a playoff berth last season. The team even tested the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round in a heated series.
This year has been far more difficult.
Naturally, things were always going to be slightly different given the Nets signed both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant while shipping off D'Angelo Russell after his first year as an All-Star. But there have been plenty of little dramas along the way.
Irving's shoulder injury turned into somewhat of a melodrama. Atkinson denied Kyrie had a bursitis, though it was clear something was seriously wrong. The end result was a season-ending surgery, capping off a long and winding saga.
Kyrie then reportedly “soured” on Atkinson early in the season
Perhaps Kenny Atkinson was not the right man to lead the transition for the Nets, but as Popovich noted, he certainly proved himself capable as a head coach.
Gregg Popovich himself has never had issues with continuity or respect. Pop took over as head coach prior to the 1996-97 season, and five NBA championships later, he is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in league history.
