Atkinson wasn’t happy with the Cavs after they were outscored 75-53
The Cleveland Cavaliers blew out the Golden State Warriors on Friday evening. It was their most impressive win of the early season. However, Kenny Atkinson wasn’t exactly thrilled with his team’s performance in the second half where they were outscored 75-53. He needed a reminder from assistant coach DeMarre Carroll that he shouldn’t be too critical after what was still a statement win.
“I was very upset about the second half,” Atkinson said before Saturday’s game with the Brooklyn Nets.
“Imagine, you beat the Warriors and [you’re that upset]. [Carroll] said, ‘Calm down. Great win. Don’t go in there and rip them for a bad second half.’”
Atkinson is blunt, he credits his New York upbringing for that. He isn’t afraid of being direct which is something guys who used to play under him will tell you. But part of coaching is knowing where and when to have those conversations. He’s thankful Carroll was there to save him from himself in that moment.
“He’s a hell of a coach,” Atkinson said of Carroll. “I learn a lot from him. . . . You need that ex-player presence and he’s a big part of our staff.”
Carroll played under Atkinson when he was an assistant with the Atlanta Hawks and a head coach with the Nets. He spent the last two seasons as an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Cavs are off to their best start in franchise history. The win against the Warriors improved them to 10-0. Cleveland is the only remaining unbeaten team in the league.