The Cleveland Cavaliers have been a pleasant surprise in the early stages of the 2024-25 NBA season, and it’s all thanks to the coaching brilliance of Kenny Atkinson. After making key offseason decisions to retain their core players and bring in Atkinson as head coach, the Cavs have exceeded expectations and emerged as serious contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Under Atkinson’s guidance, the Cavs have had a historic start to the season. Despite suffering only their second loss against the Atlanta Hawks, they currently hold the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 17-2 record. Their 15-game winning streak at the start of the season is tied for the second-longest in NBA history. This impressive start is not only a testament to Atkinson’s coaching but also to the team’s improved performance on both ends of the floor.
Offensively, Cleveland has been unstoppable. They lead the league with an average of 122.4 points per 100 possessions and shoot an impressive 40.8% from beyond the arc. The Cavs’ offensive prowess can be attributed to Atkinson’s emphasis on playing with pace and his ability to maximize his players’ shooting abilities.
Defensively, Cleveland has also shown significant improvement under Atkinson’s tutelage. They rank just outside of the top 10 in defensive rating and boast an overall net rating that places them third in the league. The team’s success on both ends of the floor can be attributed to Atkinson’s focus on maintaining their identity and continuous improvement throughout a long NBA season.
Atkinson’s impact goes beyond Xs and Os; he brings valuable experience as well. Prior to joining Cleveland, he served as head coach for the Brooklyn Nets from 2016-2020, where he helped develop a young roster into a playoff contender. He also gained championship experience as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, Atkinson has positioned the Cavs for long-term success.
Chemistry and depth have been key factors in the Cavs’ early-season success. The backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland has emerged as a formidable force, with Garland bouncing back from a challenging previous season to average 20.2 points and 6.9 assists per game while shooting an impressive 43.0% from beyond the arc. In the frontcourt, Evan Mobley has had a breakout season, averaging career-highs of 17.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. Jarrett Allen has also been a consistent contributor with averages of 14.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game.
The bench has played a crucial role in Cleveland’s success as well. Ty Jerome and Caris LeVert have provided valuable scoring off the bench, averaging 12.3 and 11.8 points per game respectively. Jerome’s remarkable shooting accuracy of 53.2% from beyond the arc has made him a strong candidate for Sixth Man of the Year.
While their early-season success is promising, the true test for the Cavs will come in the playoffs. However, under Atkinson’s guidance and with their improved chemistry and depth, this Cleveland team looks poised to make some serious noise in their pursuit of an NBA title.
In conclusion, Kenny Atkinson’s coaching brilliance has propelled the Cleveland Cavaliers to a dream start in the 2024-25 NBA season. Their historic winning streak, offensive firepower, improved defense, and strong team chemistry have positioned them as legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference race. With Atkinson pushing all the right buttons, it’s clear that this Cavs team is ready to compete at the highest level.