Cavs’ Kenny Atkinson Named East Coach Of Month, Credits Roster

December 3, 2024

CLEVELAND — Kenny Atkinson, take a bow. The Cavaliers’ new head coach just got his first hardware of the season, named NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for October and November.

And honestly? Well-deserved. The guy’s been nothing short of a maestro, leading Cleveland to a ridiculous 18-3 start, tops in the league.

Atkinson isn’t one to hog the spotlight, though. Before Thursday’s game against the Wizards, he was quick to deflect credit, calling his team “99% of the reason” for the success.

“This is a roster that’s talented, that has great continuity and it’s together,” Atkinson said. “It makes my job a lot easier.”

Let’s be real, though — coaching a team to a franchise-best 15-0 start isn’t just about rolling the ball out there. Atkinson’s system has clicked instantly, blending the likes of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland with a rising force in Evan Mobley.

And, oh yeah, those 15 straight wins? The longest streak to open a season in Cavaliers history and tied for the second-best start ever in the NBA. Not bad company to keep.

Cleveland’s dominance isn’t just in the win column. They’re lighting it up offensively, leading the league in points per game (122.4), field goal percentage (.511), and three-point shooting (.402). So far, it’s been modern basketball nirvana.

Sprinkle in some defensive grit — they’re seventh in defensive rating — and you’ve got a team that’s looking like a legitimate title contender.

Atkinson might be underselling his own impact, but let’s not. He’s pushed this group to levels we haven’t seen in Cleveland since the days of LeBron James.

Six games scoring 130 or more points already? That’s a Cavs record. And with 60-something games left, who knows where this ceiling is. One thing’s clear: Cleveland is cooking, and Atkinson’s got all the right ingredients.