Hornets name Kenny Atkinson new head coach

According to Sam Quinn of CBS Sports on Sunday, the Charlotte Hornets have named Kenny Atkinson of Northport, New York as their new head coach. Atkinson, who has NBA head coaching experience, was the head bench boss of the Brooklyn Nets from 2016 to 2020. He was fired on March 7, 2020, and later replaced by interim head coach Jacque Vaughn, and then permanent head coach Steve Nash.

In four seasons with the Nets, Atkinson had a record of 118 wins and 190 losses. It may not have been of the best of records (winning percentage of .383), but he did show significant signs of improvement during his tenure. He had a winning percentage of .512 in 2018-19 after a winning percentage of .244 in his rookie season coaching the Nets in 2016-17. Also in 2018-19, he guided the Nets to the postseason with a record of one win and four losses, as Brooklyn was eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers.

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In addition to being the head coach of the Nets, Atkinson has been an assistant coach for nine seasons. He was with the New York Knicks from 2008 to 2012, the Atlanta Hawks from 2013 to 2016, the Los Angeles Clippers in 2020-21, and the Golden State Warriors in 2021-22. Atkinson is still part of Steve Kerr’s staff in the NBA Finals. The Warriors are currently tied with the Boston Celtics at two games apiece, heading into game five on Monday

There had been rumours that the Hornets were interested in Mike D’Antoni, but settled on Atkinson instead. Charlotte finished 10th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 43 wins and 39 losses, before firing James Borrego on April 22. 

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