Podcast 306: Kenny and Kel’el
2024-06-25The Cavs’ coaching search saga is over! Exactly one month after the wine and gold fired J.B. Bickerstaff. In his place: Kenny Atkinson, who was primarily hired over James Borrego so that Cleveland wouldn’t have a second coach with the same initials. The 57 year old Atkinson brings four seasons of head coaching experience in Brooklyn from 2016-2020, resigning the year that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving came to town. He has been an assistant coach to Steve Kerr in Golden State for the last three seasons, and won a championship ring with them in 2022. The season before that he was on Ty Lue’s staff in L.A. Atkinson reportedly won the backing of Dan Gilbert and will join the team before the Wednesday night draft.
To process all this, Nate Smith, Eli Kim, and Chris Francis rotated through the CtB podcast Studios in late June fashion (casually). The trio discussed the hiring, why the Cavs passed on other candidates, and who Atkinson may add to the fill out the Cavs’ staff.
The crew then dug into as chaotic an NBA draft as any of us have ever seen, with no clear cut number one, or even clear cut top five. It’s safe to say that anything could happen Wednesday night (… and Thursday afternoon) as the now two day event unfolds with the Cavs holding onto the 20th pick. The gents broke down who they liked, who they didn’t, and some of their theories around old wings, stiff centers, and stupid names. Top that all off with a random tour of Boston, some novel picks, and some gushing over the Guardians, and you’ve got a pretty good podcast.
As always, listen below, download the full audio file, or listen on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, or Spotify.
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Having said all that, FTS had a positive take on him, offensively.
https://www.fearthesword.com/2024/6/26/24187023/instant-reaction-cleveland-cavaliers-draft-for-need-in-jaylon-tyson
Can shoot, score, & pass a bit. If he hits, he could make LeVert or Strus expendable down the road.
I watched next to no college hoops this year.
Another 6’6″ shooting guard with iffy D does not get me excited, at all. But he can score & shoot a bit and is a decent rebounder.
Most of the guys I liked were gone. But I’d have gone Shannon, Furphy, George, or even Diadet.
Furphy is still out there. And the kid from Duke. And the Spanish PG if we want to buy in. Bona.
AGREE WITH NATE—— SEE THE CELTICS —- SURPRISED TSMITH HASNT BEEN DRAFTED—- HE WAS AS LOW AS 15 IN EARLY MOCK s
Still a lot of talent left in this draft. Hope the Cavs can buy a 2nd and nab some.
Is this a telling sign that the organization doesn’t believe in Emoni?
Emoni was a gamble. Still is.
Not at all. You can never have too many wings.
Well when we need a big and a backup PG, I’ll respectfully disagree. I feel like with limited cap space, we left some points on the board.
take the best player. always.
OTHER MEDIA SAYING HE. MIGHT BE THE “ SLEEPER “ OF THE DRAFT—— TIME WILL TELL—— BRING ON THE SUMMER LEAGUE—— “ TIME TO REPEAT “ —- IS EMONI GOING TO PLAY AGAIN THIS SUMMER
JUST REPORTING WHAT I READ
So Tyson is a 6’7″ wing that has decent offensive potential and maaaybe can guard a small ball 4? Or has decent wing D potential? I don’t understand the pick tbh. Maybe I’m off, someone please make me feel better about it.
He shows signs of being a decent to good shooter, a decent passer, and an aggressive rebounder. He fits the team, though his defense will likely be a major project. He’s also a pretty strong guy for his size, so he’s not likely to get bullied easily.
Don’t we already have that in Strus?
Maybe they’d rather have Strus x2 than a Strus and an Okoro.
Dammit I wanted to argue but you make a fair point. I just feel like we don’t need anymore more tweeners that do a little bit of everything but nothing great. I’m also the first to pump up Ice’s defense and the first to yell at him when he drives and throws up a wild airball lay up. I just feel like there was other players on the board that would move the needle more than Tyson. Or just made much more sense.
He checks a lot of boxes with decent upside. I think he’s a safer pick than Holmes. He’s likely a solid pick
Might have liked Schierman more but you’re picking 20. It’s a gamble.
He put up numbers as the focal point on a bad Cali team (in his 3rd college year.) What need does he fill? A secondary ball handler off the bench? I feel like there were a couple left on the board.
Should be a fun guy to watch in Summer League (assuming he can go)
YIKES 1 OF THE MEDIA HAS TYSON s PRO COMPARISON——-ICE —— YES OUR OWN ——ICE ——
Considering his defense is considered to be by far his worst skill, I’m not sure how the comparison makes any sense.
seems nonsensical. I don’t see much in the way of similarities.
Was really hoping for Filipowski.
I actually really like the Tyson pick.
Same. Solid pick.
Jaylon Tyson is the pick
Who’s the best player available from Australia?
Final seconds ticking down…
can’t wait to see what the braintrust comes up with .. another windler ?
so, what riches are going to flow from kobly bearing down (as if he were straining on the pot) and blowing out garland’s maxypad contract ?
I MEAN “F” THE MAGIC 😡
there goes da silva..
Watch the Cavs draft another guard 😂
preferably 5’11”
German connection too much for Orlando to pass on.
Zaccherie whateverhisnameis gonna be the answer to a trivia question some day.
WTF was that pick by Atlanta.
The cap is gonna explode in the coming years with the new rights deal.
(might want to give some thought to extending JA for something like 3 more years at 90-100m)
AGREE RAOUL —- HAVE TO GET OVER MY “ MAN CRUSH “ ON HARD ROCK 👍🤪🍺
AGREE JASON—KNICKS ALL IN FOR RIGHT NOW —— MONEY WISE MIGHT BE HARD TO SIGN OH AND HARD ROCK PLUS BOTH HAVE MENTIONED PLAYING TIME IS IMPORTANT—- WE SHALL SEE
I think the Knicks want to get out of the Randle business. Think they keep harty.
Well, OG is back.
1 of Hard Rock or Robinson will certainly be gone.
If they juice the Bridges deal with more salary, they can get to 2nd apron for a hard cap.
Randle is the only other creator they have besides Brunson.
much as we loved HardRock, winding up with the Cavs is an extra long shot. and, recall all the angst about having two high payed bigs who are not an outside threat, having three is not an improvement.
Locked On Cavs talking about Garland and pieces for PG. sort of funky on timelines but I’d kick the tires
Lowe saying DG cool with current situation.
Funny. Was thinking to myself today, I wonder what it would take to nab PG. Didn’t think Garland would get it done honestly, but yeah, I’d do it.
Windy mentions PG wants to stay on the west coast on today’s Hoop Collective, fwiw.
I would not, and I am not a big DG fan.
Probably the smart move in the long run but I was definitely intrigued by the idea.
No. Paul George is always hurt.
He played 74 last year. That’s not a reason not to engage on him especially with Garland having his own injury issues.
No perfect targets
last time I looked, PG was older than dirt, and DG is pretty young.
I mean he’s a wing and good and doesn’t cost five FRPs. I don’t think I feel urgency but it isn’t horrible
RAOUL — AGREE WITH YOUR POST ON FERRY—- LENNY STILL HELD HIS OWN AS FAR AS COACHING GOES AND IF WE DIDNT “ GIVE AWAY RON HARPER ( JORDAN STOPPER ) AND DRAFT PICKS —- THERE WOULD BE ANOTHER NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BANNER HANGING
I also totally hated the trade (also have Harper’s autograph from his MU days). But after it was made Lenny should have done his best with the hand he was dealt, which included Ferry.
From a NY state of mind, I:
1) Prioritize bringing OG back. Brunson, DDV, Bridges, OG, Randle, plus Hart is very nasty. Robinson is still under contract. At worst, you have one of Robinson/Hard Rock at C, plus McBride and 2 picks.
2) If NY can throw in some ither salary (non guaranteed contracts) so they are sending out more than they are taking in, and thus avoid the hard cap, it is a bigger win.
Now they just need to dump Thibs before everyone’s bones are ground to dust.
Thibs is the reason they are good with their level of talent. They are coached fantastically and don’t waste any possessions.
Question is what to do with Randle. The offense with Brunson and a bunch of third options was gross.
Yeah I’m just messing. Thibs is obviously a really good coach. But it can’t be overlooked his teams are always running on fumes come playoffs.
Bridges is the perfect Thibs player. He’s played like 243 games in s row. A modern Luol Deng upgrade.
OG getting 5 at about 42m a year
HARD ROCK SHOULD NOW BE AVAILABLE—- CAN SEE KA WANTING TO PURSUE HIM
I think the Knicks will tryvto bring he and OG back. Robinson is the one they will look to deal.
Though it may not be possible.
If I were them, Robinson, and to a lesser extent, Randle, would be the guys I’d look to deal, if I have to deal anyone.
They have 2 1st rounders this year as well.
NETS ACED THAT TRADE WITH THE KNICKS—— KNICKS GAVE TOO MUCH
No way. They pushed all in. Bridges is fantastic and wants to be there.
I have no idea what the cap looks like, but Brunson, Bridges, Hart, DDV, and Randle is a great place to start. And if they re-sign OG & Hard Rock, they are right there with the Celtics. They should have Bird rights on OG at least.
It is a good deal for Brooklyn, who hit the reset button. But NY is going for it.
And Thibs isn’t playing draft picks or youngs anyways. It took a calamity for them to even consider McBride and Achiwua.
GAURDIANS WITH THE BEST WINNING PCT IN BASEBALL 👍🥎💪🦾
I LOOK AT THIS WAY— EMONI IS lIKE HAVING ANOTHER DRAFT PICK THIS YEAR THAT CAN POSSIBLY CONTRIBUTE— LET KA “ WORK HIS MAGIC “ —-MAKE HIM A “ FINER TUNED “ LeVERT
My totally clueless draft thoughts.
1) I could see us take any position. I’d prefer a 3/4 who can shoot/defend. But a 3&D wing (2/3), a playmaking PG with some size, a big who can shoot, or a big big all make some sense to me. The key is to get a good player. We can use help everywhere.
2) All over them if they drop, but not real realistic: Topic (PG), Cody Williams (SF), Salaun (SF/PF).
More realistic:
1)SF/PF: da Silva, Smith
2) SG/SF: Walter, Shannon, George, Furphy
3) Big PG: Carrington
4) Shooting big: Ware
5) Big big: Edey
I am for taking the best player available no matter what the position.
remember when the Cavs took St. Wierdo over Dame Lillard because they already had a point guard?
Yes. Baffling move.
I had Harrison Barnes in that draft. He was never as good in the NBA as his pre NBA profile indicated (just not a star). But he was never going to fail as an NBA player and has been a really good wing
K GEORGE GAINING ALOT OF MOMENTUM GOING INTO DRAFT —— HAS A LITTLE OF “ SIR G “ IN HIM ——— CARRINGTON HAS AN NBA BODY ALREADY—WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOTTERY PICK NEXT YEAR ——- WARE —-ATHLETIC—SHOOTER —- WILL PROBABLY BE GONE——- TOPIC WAS ONCE A TOP 5 PICK UNTIL ACL ISSUES SURFACED—- SOME MOCK s HAVE HIM FALLING ALL THE WAY TO THE CAVS ——- REMEMBER M PORTER——— T SMITH WAS ONCE A 15–20 PICK—- HAS FALLEN RECENTLY. HEIGHT/ SHOOTER/ ATHLETIC/ HIGH MOTOR————— MY PICK FROM LAST MARCH HAS BEEN DaSILVA — HE WILL BE GONE BY THEN—— SHOULD… Read more »
SOME EXCELLENT POSTS —- THE “ 3 STOOGES DURANT — KYRIE— HARDEN “ RAILROADED KA —- IF THEY ACTUALLY LET HIM COACH WE MIGHT BE SAYING NBA. CHAMPIONSHIP COACH KA
A reminder that Cavs the blog writers have hated every single coach the Cavs have had. Including future hall of fame coach Ty Lue.
haha! that is the nature blogging.
Lol. That’s why we refer to him exclusively as “NBA champion, Tyronn Lue.”
Seriously though, Ty’s the greatest coach in the history of the Cavs. No one hated him. Did we criticise him at times, especially later on in the Finals run years? Yes. Did he win the greatest championship in North American pro sports history (and maybe the world?) Yes. Ty’s name should be hanging in the rafters some day.
I’d put Lenny Wilkens in that conversation.
disagree.
Lenny lost playoff series because he didn’t like Danny Ferrry, and refused to play him. Remember when he started some big red haired dude from Notre Dame (that couldn’t even run let alone shoot) over Ferry in the playoffs?
Danny went on to win rings as a key contributer on other teams, Lenny did not.
Danny Ferry was a stiff. That draft class was awful. He was around on one (IIRC) championship team but was nailed to the bench
the trade for Ferry was way bad, but he was a decent player. for some reason, he dominated Patrick Ewing when he played Center. Also was an excellent three point shooter, which was a key to the Spurs winning a title. that is far from a stiff
He didn’t actually play for that Spurs title team. He’s TT – got drafted insanely high for his actual ability but found a career (which he then parlayed into being a rather racist GM if the Luol Deng comment rumor is correct).
So that probably colors my analysis
pretty sure Ferry played a big role on the 02-03 Spurs championship team
Doesn’t look like it. 9 mpg in the regular season, six in the playoffs
The best thing about Atkinson is that he sticks to his guns. His refusal to play D. Jordan in Brooklyn (instead of Allen) ticked off the malcontented Irving & KD, and cost him hos job.
He won’t play guys that don’t deserve it and will play guys that do deserve it. Despite what the FO and star players think.
I doubt any coach would have survived that Kyrie/ KD fresh into Brooklyn/ thinking they own the joint sharkshow. Those two were going to bend the Nets over until they snapped the spine.
Part of why it’s just easier to have an ex player coach. Players are less likely to go to the mattresses against a hall of famer like Kidd.
They went hard in the other direction with Nash and later Vaughn and it was butt too :(