“They’ve had a really good start to their season, and I’m sure Kenny has a lot to do with it,” remarked Moses Moody recently about the Cleveland Cavaliers. But calling it a “good start” might actually be an understatement— the Cavaliers are currently boasting an impressive 11-0 record in the regular season! The last time the franchise started this strong was in the 1976-77 season, and even then, they only made it to 8-0. While the players have certainly fueled this success, it’s clear that one key factor has been instrumental.

With his previous experience alongside the Golden State Warriors, Coach Kenny Atkinson has earned admiration from former Warriors Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, who can’t help but marvel at what he’s accomplished with the Cavs. A recent piece by Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor delved into the Cavaliers’ winning streak and highlighted Atkinson’s influence on their success. Observing his former assistant coach’s impact, Curry noted some familiar qualities in the Cavaliers’ gameplay.

This led him to say: “They have a different identity than we have, but offensively they’re moving around, they’re organized, they play with pace.” Crediting Atkinson for handling the offense during his three years with the Warriors, Curry said the new Cavaliers head coach does not seem to be out of place in his new position. The squad seems to have accepted him. After all, “The organization feeding into the strengths of your team matters if you buy into it. Looks like they are. Nobody has figured them out 10 games in.”

Even Draymond Green couldn’t help but wonder that Kenny Atkinson’s time with the Golden State Warriors may have had an influence in how he is shaping the Eastern Conference franchise. In the same report by Chris Fedor, he was reported to have said “I was telling Steph (Curry) in the fourth quarter, I feel like they just beat us with what we’ve beat teams with for years. I think the system that Kenny has put these guys in, the position that he’s put them in, the ball moves a lot more. It makes everyone a threat and a lot tougher to guard.”

It is not every day that the player and his squad lose to a team by a 136-117 score. Not just any team, but a team that has been only able to make the playoffs twice in the last 6 years. Therefore, having observed their playing pattern, and their change in head coach, the Warriors’ power forward can certainly put two-and-two together.

Success did not come Kenny Atkinson’s way for quite some time. Before the Cleveland Cavaliers, the only other NBA head coaching position he held was with the Brooklyn Nets. Under his leadership, the franchise could only secure a 118–189-win record in four years. On top of that, they only reached the playoffs twice. After stepping down and serving as assistant coach for the LA Clippers for less than a year, Atkinson became the assistant coach for the Steve Kerr-led Golden State Warriors in 2021.

According to Terry Pluto, the one thing that Atkinson learned from Kerr was to relate with players on a deeper level. Pluto also believes that upon joining the Cavaliers, the new HC brought some of his own ideas about offense, while others from the Bay Area franchise. That same formula carries only one word now: Success.

If there was any indication that Kenny Atkinson was recycling a few ideas from the Warriors, no one would be madder about it than Steve Kerr. However, Steve Kerr is nothing but proud of his ‘prodigy.’

“Kenny has taken advantage” – Steve Kerr sees shades of the Warriors in Kenny Atkinson’s Cavaliers

The Cavaliers had no major change during the offseason, except for the acquisition of Kenny Atkinson. To go from a 48-34-win record last season to a good start this season with 11-0 is impressive for many. For others, it is also a reminder of the influence that Steve Kerr had when he first joined the Golden State Warriors. In just one season, the Bay Area franchise went from being the sixth seed two seasons in a row to the top seed, with an impressive 67-15-win record.

Even the Warriors head coach couldn’t help but make a reference. “This was a great job to get, just like mine was 10 years ago,” Kerr said about Kenny Atkinson. “Now, you’re just tweaking things and seeing where you can get better on the margins rather than trying to grow something organically. It’s a perfect spot, and Kenny has taken advantage.”

Ahead of the Cavaliers matchup, Kerr praised his former assistant coach, saying, “He’s a tireless worker. He loves it. Every time I call him he’s watching League Pass. He’s a maniac in a good way.” Kerr’s comments hint at his familiarity with Atkinson’s intense dedication, which may give the Cavaliers an edge. However, the result was a tough 19-point loss, suggesting Kerr, Curry, and Green might need to regroup before their next game against Cleveland.