How Did Kenny Atkinson Turn the Cavaliers into Eastern Conference Juggernauts and Snag Coach of the Year?

When it comes to flipping the script on expectations, Kenny Atkinson has done nothing short of a masterstroke in his rookie season as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Snatching the NBA Coach of the Year honors right out of the gate, Atkinson orchestrated a remarkable turnaround that saw the Cavs clinch the Eastern Conference’s top spot with an eye-popping 64-18 ledger. What makes this even juicier? He edged out none other than the very coach he replaced—talk about a narrative packed with drama and grit. I mean, winning 59 of the 100 first-place votes is no small feat either; it’s a testament to how Atkinson’s savvy on the sidelines transformed a good team into a nearly unstoppable force. The league—and Cleveland fans—have every reason to buzz about this exceptional debut. LEARN MOREThe Cavaliers swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs via a 122-point combined margin of victory that was the largest in a single series in NBA history. Cleveland lost Game 1 of its second-round series at home Sunday night to the Indiana Pacers as Garland watched injured from the sideline.Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff finished second in voting (31 first-place votes) after leading a turnaround in Detroit from the worst record in the NBA to 44-38 campaign and No. 6 seed in the East in his first year on the job. Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets finished third (seven first-place votes).Atkinson delivered in his debut season as he oversaw an improvement of 16 wins in a Cavaliers campaign that got off to a 15-0 start, tied for the second best in NBA history. Cleveland never relinquished control of the East and finished the season with a three-game lead over the Celtics for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

Atkinson delivered in his debut season as he oversaw an improvement of 16 wins in a Cavaliers campaign that got off to a 15-0 start, tied for the second best in NBA history. Cleveland never relinquished control of the East and finished the season with a three-game lead over the Celtics for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

Atkinson delivered in his debut season as he oversaw an improvement of 16 wins in a Cavaliers campaign that got off to a 15-0 start, tied for the second best in NBA history. Cleveland never relinquished control of the East and finished the season with a three-game lead over the Celtics for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

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