While no one in the Cavaliers‘ organization is thrilled by the fact that the team has already lost nearly as many games this season (14) as it did last season (18), Kenny Atkinson‘s job is in no imminent danger, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
One recent report cited “rumbles in coaching circles” that Atkinson’s job was becoming less safe, while another suggested there have been “internal questions” about his leadership. But sources tell Vardon that Atkinson isn’t on the hot seat at this point.
The Cavaliers also aren’t on the verge of making significant changes to their roster, Vardon continues, since the front office still wants to see what the team looks like when all of its usual starters are on the court together. That hasn’t yet happened this season, with Max Strus out since August due to foot surgery and several other players having missed time due to injuries as well.
Although Vardon describes executives, coaches, and players as being “upset” by the way the Cavs have played in recent weeks, he also suggests management is willing to be patient, reporting that the team has declined at least two recent trade offers for rotation players.
We have more from around the Central:
- Pacers center Isaiah Jackson has been ruled out for Tuesday’s game vs. Milwaukee due to a concussion, and head coach Rick Carlisle wants the NBA to take a look at the play that caused the injury, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. Jackson appeared to get hit by a swinging elbow from Celtics center Neemias Queta multiple times on the same possession (Twitter video link via Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files). “It was a play that I felt should have been looked at in real time,” Carlisle said. “It did not appear to be accidental. It’s very dangerous. And I don’t know how long he’s going to be out. It’s pretty serious. … It just can’t be missed. That’s all.”
- After averaging 21.2 minutes per night through his first 24 games of the season, forward Patrick Williams has played just 25 total minutes in his past three outings, all Bulls wins. While the former No. 4 overall pick has slipped down the depth chart, head coach Billy Donovan said that Williams’ reduced role isn’t necessarily permanent, per Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune (subscription required). “At some point, there’s going to have to be a level of sacrifice by everybody,” Donovan said. “I wouldn’t sit there and say that in my mind, okay, he’s just the 11th guy and that’s it. I don’t know what’s going to happen with our team going forward. But I do think Patrick can help.”
- In a recent interview with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Bucks guard Ryan Rollins discussed playing for head coach Doc Rivers, vying for this season’s Most Improved Player award, learning from Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and what it felt like to sign a three-year, $12MM contract as a free agent over the summer. “It was a blessing. That’s my first real contract,” Rollins said of the new deal. “I’m grateful for my family to be able to witness that and be inspired and motivated by that. It was great. There’s a lot more to get, so I’m not content at all. I’m still going to be greedy and get more, which I deserve, so there’s a lot more work to do.”
So ridiculous how quick ownership always seems to be to sour on how they view their coaches. Kenny Atkinson is an A+ coach. He was great at creating culture in Brooklyn, got booted for no good reason, then came back to head coaching and immediately brought the Cavs back to winning. Unless it comes out that he has some personal attitude problem or something, I don’t see why you would even contemplate letting him go this season.
Hate my front office. Nobody in their right mind was going to offer Williams a RFA offer of $90M, yet AK felt threatened by rumors and decided to reward him based on potential. I can’t even get mad at the player anymore because he absolute is dogsh*t, but I can get mad at this front office.
$18M AAV for 11th man off the bench is comical to me.
The FO, not the HC, is the primary culprit in CLE’s start. They didn’t need to break up the core, but they needed to at least tweak it. Injuries mattered last year in the playoffs, but they weren’t the only problem. Some their issues have been the same for each of the last 3 playoff seasons, though good and bad health.
Running it back was an obvious call after 1 year, and a good call after 2 years (particularly when coupled with the coaching change). But the third time was never going to be a charm. At least during the regular season. They can still peak for the playoffs. But if they succeed at convincing themselves there isn’t any playoff issue other than injuries, that won’t happen either.