On Monday, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson gained the NBA’s Coach of the 12 months award. Nonetheless, primarily based on current historical past, that is hardly a trigger for celebration.
If an NBA coach desires long-term job stability, arguably the very last thing he ought to do is incomes COY honors.
Of the ten earlier winners earlier than Atkinson, solely three (Steve Kerr, 2016; Tom Thibodeau, 2021; Mark Daigneault, 2024) are with the crew they gained the award.
Former Kings head coach Mike Brown, the 2023 winner, was fired 31 video games into this season, lower than two years after being named the league’s finest coach.
Former Suns coach Monty Williams gained the 2022 award and was fired a yr later after taking Phoenix to the West semifinals.
Nick Nurse (2020) and Dwayne Casey (2018) additionally did not have a lot time to have a good time their success, with Nurse lasting simply three seasons after successful an NBA title and Casey being fired the offseason instantly following his COY win.
NBA groups do not hesitate to discard coaches, even ones with spectacular resumes. In April, the Nuggets shockingly fired former head coach Mike Malone lower than two years after successful an NBA championship and regardless of posting a 471-327 (.590) document in 10 seasons.
The Grizzlies fired former coach Taylor Jenkins after he went 250-214 (.539) in six seasons, together with 44-29 by means of 73 video games in 2024-25.
Atkinson’s COY win will not shield him if the Cavs, who went 64-18 through the common season (their second-best document all-time) stumble subsequent season. If something, it is going to solely apply stress on Atkinson to maintain Cleveland within the Jap Convention’s prime tier.
A lot for Atkinson’s Coach of the 12 months accolade being a reason behind celebration. Not too long ago, it has been a curse.
