Kenny Atkinson Articles - Page 3

The Cleveland Cavaliers took a step forward in the playoffs last season, beating the Orlando Magic in seven games in the first round before suffering a second-round exit against the eventual champion Boston Celtics. Still, the Cavs faced major offseason decisions on what to do with their core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, […]

When the Cleveland Cavaliers named Kenny Atkinson as the team’s next head coach, there was one focus in mind: offense. With Atkinson at the helm, Cleveland is expected to be more dynamic on offense, based on a predicated motion-based offense. He wants the Cavs to play with pace and make three-pointers while moving the ball […]

For as downright dominant as the Cleveland Cavaliers have been to start the season, they aren’t flawless. In their first and currently only loss of the season, the Cavs were carved up on defense by the Boston Celtics on the perimeter. More often than not, Cleveland would sag off Boston’s perimeter attack, looking to protect […]

Cleveland Cavaliers sharpshooter Max Strus is five weeks into his six-week recovery window after suffering a high ankle sprain injury during the preseason. However, in an update from Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson, once Strus is evaluated, the Cleveland forward still needs time to get back on the floor. “Max is still a ways away,” […]

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen joined the Young Man and the Three podcast Friday to talk all things Cavs and more.  Allen’s appearance involved discourse surrounding everything from playing a team coached by the show’s lead host emeritus in Redick to The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. But the most interesting portion of the […]

For the fans who thought Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland was ducking smoke, nothing could be further from the truth. Garland, who struggled against the Boston Celtics, was ruled out against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Cavs’ second game in a back-to-back, with a groin injury. However, in an injury update from Cleveland head coach […]

As usual, Boston Celtics big man Al Horford was a crucial supporting piece in his team’s 120-117 over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. The 18th-year veteran scored 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting with seven rebounds, three blocks, and one assist across 32 minutes, and Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson couldn’t help but admire his performance […]

Under new coach Kenny Atkinson, the Cleveland Cavaliers have surged to a historic 15-0 record, which impressed no less than NBA legend and analyst Charles Barkley. For context, the 15-0 Cavs are only the fourth team in NBA history to start 15-0–the three prior teams, including the 73-9 Warriors, also reached the NBA Finals, boding […]

For the longest time, defense has been the Cleveland Cavaliers’ identity. Without their defense, Cleveland wouldn’t be where they are right now. When new head coach Kenny Atkinson took the job, the defense was the one thing he didn’t want the Cavs to change. However, in Cleveland’s undefeated start to the season, their defense has […]

Despite the undefeated start to the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been dealing with a rash of injuries to their roleplayers. The latest blow the Cavs have been dealt is to sharpshooter Sam Merrill, who has missed three consecutive games due to a nagging left ankle injury. Merrill has been Cleveland’s best three-point shooting threat […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been the best team in the NBA and show no signs of slowing down. However, despite how dominant Cleveland has been in opening the season, they aren’t flawless. The Cavs scored in bunches in their 144-126 NBA Cup win over the Chicago Bulls. Running up the scoreboard helped Cleveland handle any […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers are the only undefeated team in the league with a 12-0 record, their best start since LeBron James joined the Lakers in 2019. Behind smothering defense from Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, hot shooting from Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, superb coaching from Kenny Atkinson, plus consistent bench production, they have looked […]

As the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls game dragged on, one thing was clear: the Cavs were looking tired. This matchup versus Chicago was Cleveland’s twelfth game of the year, the most by any NBA team. Overall, the Cavs had already played three back-to-backs, more or less making their schedule the heaviest for any team […]

There is a lot of history between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. After all, these two teams faced off in the NBA Finals four straight times from 2015-18. Stephen Curry and the Warriors ended up seizing three titles over the LeBron James-led Cavs, but a lot has changed for these two organizations over […]

Donovan Mitchell and the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers are home to face a familiar Western Conference rival: Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. One game ago, the Cavs defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 131-122, setting a mark in Cleveland franchise history. The Warriors, meanwhile, just knocked off the defending champions, with Golden State beating the […]

The undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers made history after defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 131-122. For the first time, the Cavs have started the NBA’s regular season 9-0. That’s right. This Cleveland team pulled off such a feat, not LeBron James. Instead, the Cavs’ star-studded Core Four, headlined by Donovan Mitchell, led Cleveland to such a feat. […]

Giannis Antetokounmpo is sidelined heading into the second NBA regular season matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks. Antetokounmpo was ruled as a game-time decision earlier in the day, but the Greek Freak was ultimately ruled out due to a right adductor injury. The Bucks’ loss is the Cavs’ gain for a team trying […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the hottest basketball teams early into the NBA season. Much of that can be attributed to new Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson. Under Atkinson, the Cavs have played a more balanced game, with their offense starting to match the intensity of their renowned defense. It’s led to Cleveland […]

After a two-game road trip, the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers head home to host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. It’ll be a historical game since LeBron James, who began his career with the Cavs, is expected to take the floor with his son, Lakers rookie Bronny James. Bronny was born early in his father’s […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers have struggled to control the New York Knicks on the boards for the last few seasons. Granted, the Knicks have consistently been among the NBA’s better rebounding teams. However, the Cavs, with two seven-footers in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, should, on paper, be able to contain New York’s edge. Unfortunately, since […]

The New York Knicks’ trade for Karl-Anthony Towns sent shock waves through the NBA world on the eve of training camp. After finishing the 2023-24 season with the second best record in the Eastern Conference, many felt the trade could vault the Knicks into title contender status. Count Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson as […]

After losing sharpshooter Max Strus to an ankle injury, Dean Wade has kept the Cleveland Cavaliers afloat at small forward. However, Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson is open to being creative while Strus is sidelined. While Wade has been solid, Cleveland could turn to sixth man Caris LeVert or defensive stud Isaac Okoro some nights. […]

A new year means new opportunities for the Cleveland Cavaliers, especially under new head coach Kenny Atkinson. With Atkinson at the helm, the Cavs are expected to be more dynamic on offense.  There has been a heavier emphasis on Cleveland taking more three-pointers. Atkinson wants the Cavs to rebound the basketball and get out in […]

After a 2-0 start to their 2024-25 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers are just fine navigating life without Max Strus. Strus, expected to miss at least Cleveland’s first 20 games, has been sidelined with a severe ankle sprain. The Cleveland sharpshooter was and still is to be an integral part of the Cavs’ offensive attack under […]

Although it’s only one game, everything seemingly fell into place in Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson’s regular season debut. Against the Toronto Raptors, Cleveland opened the 2024-25 season with a dominant 136-106 win and broke a few records along the way. It’s the most points scored in a non-overtime regular season game on the […]

Heading into the 2024-25 season, there are championship-level expectations for Cleveland Cavaliers fans. The Cavs have a bonafide Big Three between Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, and Evan Mobley on paper. But, like other NBA Big Three, sacrifices must be made, and those star players must step up – especially on offense under new head coach […]

Throughout the preseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers have focused on rebounding. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson wants to make it a core identity this season. To Atkinson, having Cleveland gobble up opportunities leads to even more looks on offense. With the Cavs boasting bigs like Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen and tons of rebounding support, putting […]

There are questions about the Cleveland Cavaliers heading into the 2024-25 season. The most recent for the Cavs is what to do after news broke that Max Strus would be sidelined with an ankle injury. Strus was expected to start on Opening Night as part of Cleveland’s standard starting five. But now that Strus is […]

A new feature of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ practice courts at Cleveland Clinic Courts is the four boxes taped around the perimeter. Two are in either corner, and the other two are just above the break of the three-point arc on the wing. The taped-off areas remind Cleveland where the Cavs must go immediately once they […]

Although it’s only the preseason, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson is focused on getting the Cavs up to speed. Atkinson confirmed that the plan is to play his healthy starters against former coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s Detroit Pistons as part of the ramp-up to the regular season opener. That means Cleveland’s core four, Darius Garland, […]

Throughout his NBA career, the Cleveland Cavaliers have asked Dean Wade to be more selfish on offense. That doesn’t mean the Cavs want Wade to be the No. 1 option on offense. Instead, when Wade finds himself open on the perimeter, Cleveland wants him to take the three-point shot. Under new head coach Kenny Atkinson, […]

Things were thrown for a loop early in preseason action for the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the second quarter forward Max Strus exited the Cavs’ first preseason game with a hip injury and did not return. That forced Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson to shake things up, altering his game plan on the fly during the […]

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Max Strus exited the Cavs’ first preseason game with a hip injury and did not return. The next day, Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson somewhat cleared the air on Strus’ injury status. While Strus did not participate in the team’s practice on Wednesday, Atkinson wouldn’t firmly say if Strus would suit up […]

There’s been hype surrounding head coach Kenny Atkinson’s new offense during the offseason and training camp. Under Atkinson, the Cavs are expected to utilize a motion-based offense that wants to play with pace and get up three-pointers. There’s also an emphasis on moving the ball and empowering his players to make the right reads. The […]

It’s been a while since Ty Jerome has suited up for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The last time he played for the Cavs was on October 27, 2023, when Cleveland lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder. After that, a nagging ankle injury kept Jerome sidelined. The remainder of the season did not go as planned by […]

Making an NBA debut is always challenging, even after playing during Summer League action. Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Jaylon Tyson is no exception. Although he’s impressed his Cavs teammates with his veteran-like approach, which he shared before Cleveland hosted the Chicago Bulls in preseason action, Tyson still has rookie jitters. “I’m starting to get jitters already,” […]

With a change in coaching from J.B. Bickerstaff to Kenny Atkinson at the helm, the Cleveland Cavaliers expect a different approach this season. Early in training camp, analytics was the most significant new thing the Cavs were embracing under Atkinson. That approach has become clear with how Cleveland wants Darius Garland to shoot more three-pointers […]

Many have wondered how Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson will fine-tune the offense for a while now. With how the Cavs play two bigs with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, Atkinson’s preference for all-out spacing is tricky. However, after spending time with Draymond Green and the Golden State Warriors, Atkinson might have something that […]

For the better part of his NBA career, NBA offenses have been a little awkward for Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro. This played a part in Okoro’s quiet free agency. Although Okoro is the Cavs’ best perimeter defender, his offensive warts gave teams with cap space pause. Okoro admitted at media day that, for a […]