In April 2025, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson was honored with the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award, a testament to his exceptional leadership during the team’s remarkable 64–18 season. This achievement not only underscores Atkinson’s coaching prowess but also signifies a transformative era for the Cavaliers.
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## A Historic Season Under Atkinson
Upon his appointment as head coach in June 2024, Atkinson inherited a team with potential but lacking recent playoff success. His immediate impact was evident as the Cavaliers embarked on a franchise-record 15-game winning streak to start the 2024–25 season, marking the longest such streak in NBA history for a new head coach with a team. ([Kenny Atkinson]
Atkinson’s strategic emphasis on a balanced offensive and defensive approach propelled the Cavaliers to the league’s best record. Offensively, the team led the NBA in points per game (121.7), field goal percentage (49.6%), and three-point percentage (39.4%). Defensively, they ranked in the top 10 in several categories, including defensive rating and opponent field goal percentage.
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## Atkinson’s Coaching Philosophy
Atkinson’s coaching philosophy centers on player development, adaptability, and fostering a collaborative team environment. His emphasis on spacing, ball movement, and defensive versatility has been instrumental in the Cavaliers’ success. Additionally, his ability to integrate advanced analytics with traditional coaching methods has set a new standard in the NBA.
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## The Cavaliers’ Roster and Key Contributors
The Cavaliers’ success can also be attributed to the contributions of several key players:
– **Donovan Mitchell**: The All-Star guard led the team in scoring and played a pivotal role in clutch moments throughout the season.
– **Evan Mobley**: The Defensive Player of the Year, Mobley’s presence in the paint anchored the Cavaliers’ defense.
– **Darius Garland**: As a dynamic playmaker, Garland’s ability to facilitate offense and score efficiently was crucial to the team’s success.
The synergy between Atkinson’s coaching and the players’ performances culminated in a season that exceeded expectations and reestablished the Cavaliers as championship contenders.
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## Looking Ahead
With Atkinson at the helm, the Cavaliers are poised for sustained success. The team’s blend of experienced leadership and youthful talent positions them as formidable contenders in the upcoming NBA seasons. Atkinson’s recognition as Coach of the Year is not only a personal accolade but also a reflection of the collective effort that has revitalized the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise.
Kenny Atkinson has been named the 2025 Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award winner by the National Basketball Coaches Association. This prestigious award recognizes Atkinson’s dedication, commitment, and hard work as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Key Achievements:
– *64-18 Record:* Atkinson led the Cavaliers to a remarkable 64-18 record, securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference and the second-best record overall in the NBA.
– *16-Game Improvement:* The Cavaliers showed significant improvement from the previous season, with a 16-game increase in wins.
– *Franchise Records:* Atkinson’s team set a new franchise record with 30 road wins and became the second team in NBA history to post three separate 12-game winning streaks in one season.
Coaching Excellence:
– *Offensive Rating:* The Cavaliers led the league in offensive rating (121.0) and points per game (121.9).
– *Shooting Percentages:* They ranked high in various shooting percentages, including:
– First in effective field goal percentage (57.8)
– First in true shooting percentage (60.7)
– Second in field goal percentage (49.1)
– Second in three-point field goal percentage (38.3)
Recognition:
– *Peer Votes:* The award was voted on by Atkinson’s peers, the 30 NBA head coaches, adding weight to the recognition.
– *NBCA President:* Indiana Pacers head coach and NBCA President Rick Carlisle praised Atkinson, saying, “Kenny Atkinson has long been respected by his peers as an innovative and humble servant to the game.” ¹ ²
Atkinson’s humility and dedication to his team were evident in his response, “Coaching the game of basketball has been an amazing journey for me and my family, and to be recognized by my peers for a job well done this season is extremely humbling.” He also acknowledged the contributions of his assistant coaches, support staff, and the team’s general manager, Koby Altman ¹.
Cleveland’s Kenny Atkinson was announced Saturday as the winner of the National Basketball Coaches Association’s coach of the year award, after leading the Cavaliers to a 64-win season and the No. 1 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs. The NBA will also give out a coach of the year award in the coming weeks.
**Kenny Atkinson’s Triumph: Leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a Historic 64-Win Season**
In a remarkable turn of events, Kenny Atkinson has been honored with the 2025 Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award, recognizing his exceptional leadership in guiding the Cleveland Cavaliers to a franchise-record 64–18 season. This achievement not only underscores Atkinson’s coaching prowess but also marks a significant milestone in the Cavaliers’ storied history. ([Kenny Atkinson]
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### A Historic Season Under Atkinson’s Leadership
Upon his hiring on June 28, 2024, Atkinson inherited a team with potential but lacking direction. His immediate impact was felt as the Cavaliers embarked on a 15-game winning streak to start the season, setting a new franchise record and making Atkinson the only coach in NBA history to win his first 15 games with a new team . ([Kenny Atkinson]
The Cavaliers’ offensive transformation was evident, leading the league in points per game, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage during the early months of the season . Atkinson’s emphasis on ball movement, spacing, and player empowerment revitalized the team’s offensive schemes. ([Cavs’ Kenny Atkinson named NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month]
Defensively, the Cavaliers ranked third in defensive efficiency, with standout performances from Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, who averaged 1.59 blocks per game and contributed significantly to the team’s overall defensive prowess . ([Cavs’ Evan Mobley tabbed NBA Defensive Player of the Year]
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### Atkinson’s Coaching Philosophy and Impact
Atkinson’s coaching philosophy centers on player development, adaptability, and fostering a collaborative team environment. His background as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, where he contributed to the team’s championship successes, provided him with a wealth of experience in building cohesive and dynamic teams .
Under his guidance, the Cavaliers not only excelled in individual performances but also demonstrated a collective commitment to team success. The development of young talents, strategic rotations, and in-game adjustments were hallmarks of Atkinson’s tenure, leading to a season that will be remembered as one of the most successful in franchise history.
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### Looking Ahead: The Cavaliers’ Future Under Atkinson
As the Cavaliers advance in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Atkinson’s leadership continues to be a driving force. With a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Miami Heat, the team is poised to make a deep playoff run . Atkinson’s ability to maintain focus and discipline during the postseason will be crucial as the Cavaliers aim to secure their first NBA championship. ([4 Takeaways from Cavs Game 2 win over Heat]
The 2024–25 season has solidified Atkinson’s reputation as one of the premier coaches in the NBA. His journey from assistant coach to head coach has been marked by resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. As the Cavaliers continue their pursuit of a championship, Atkinson’s leadership will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the team’s success. ([2024–25 Cleveland Cavaliers season]
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