Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson has reportedly emerged as a favorite to assume office as the new Charlotte Hornets head coach. Reportedly, Atkinson will have his third meeting with the Hornets’ front office and his first meeting with majority owner Michael Jordan in the coming week.
This news has set NBA Twitter ablaze once again amidst the 2022 NBA finals. Atkinsons’ Warriors are currently 0-1 down against the Celtics. Therefore, he has his task cut out for what is turning out to be a tough series for the Dubs.
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But Hornets fans have their attention set elsewhere.
NBA fans react to Michael Jordan’s decision
The Hornets fired coach James Borrego in April after he failed to take Charlotte beyond the play-in tournament. The search for a new head coach began immediately. Earlier, Mike D’Antoni’s name was floated around as a potential front-runner.
However, the tide has turned in a different direction now.
Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson has emerged as a front-runner for Charlotte’s head coaching job and will meet again next week with Hornets officials, this time including owner Michael Jordan, sources tell me and @sam_amick.
Story at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/uZlhfZCbG4
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 3, 2022
Meanwhile, the Lakers had shortlisted three candidates for their head coaching job, including Atkinson and former Blazers head coach Terry Stotts. But just after the Lakers’ front office announced Darvin Ham as the new head coach, the Hornets tightened their grip on the remaining two.
Now, the reports are suggesting that Atkinson is the favorite to bag the position. While D’Antoni and Stotts are still in contention, they are yet to secure a meeting with the owner.
The move has been deemed a poor decision by many fans. In fact, Michael Jordan has received a lot of flak on social media after the reports came out. Here are some of the more potent fan reactions.
https://twitter.com/antjams/status/1532786599196516352?s=20&t=4yMFdBTkT1zyflz33UDY0w
https://twitter.com/s24taofeek/status/1532809172164743168?s=20&t=4yMFdBTkT1zyflz33UDY0w
Holy L
— Alex (@0toHerr0) June 3, 2022
If Kenny atinkson gets the job with Charlotte Hornets. Wasting his time long as Michael Jordan keeping make all NBA decision they won't succeed period Michael Jordan hired NBA excutive run the team get out of the way
— Christopher Seymour (@Christo73680282) June 3, 2022
Stop stealing our coaches
— curry 3-1 lebron (@LeEyepoke) June 3, 2022
D’antoni and Lamelo would’ve been nasty
— Pistons Suck (@Detroit_Stan14) June 3, 2022
Give LaMelo d’antoni and he’s putting up 27-12
— Zak (@dloisthegoat123) June 3, 2022
Lmao Mitch just loves below average coaches. First Borrego and now Atkinson? D’Antoni isn’t great either smh. How hard is it to get a good coach with high upside?
— Anoush Emadi (@AnoushEmadi) June 3, 2022
Bruh Atkinson is also a offensive coach ? Hes basically borrego who also had locker issues😂😂😂
— LA.B1 (@LastBeast24) June 3, 2022
Surprised a team with as much offensive firepower as Charlotte would elect not to go with D'Antoni but maybe they're attempting to have some semblance of defense going forward
— xKayoss (@xKayoss) June 3, 2022
— F. R. Farmer ♒️💪🏾(Rico) (@RoRazzi) June 3, 2022
Kenny Atkinson to potentially coach LaMelo Ball after coaching Warriors’ Stephen Curry
The fans’ disappointment with the selection of Atkinson is understandable. He has been to the playoffs only one time as head coach of the Nets and lost in the first round. But the Hornets are not planning to be championship contenders anytime soon.
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Currently, their goal is to be a consistent playoff team that can make the occasional deep run. The front office has put together a decent roster for Atkinson to develop.
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However, many fans still believe Mark D’Antoni is the perfect fit for the franchise. Even though the 71-year-old has never progressed beyond the Conference finals, he can truly transform young sensation LaMelo Ball into a legitimate superstar.
Ball would thrive under the D’Antoni system, which is centered around a crafty guard who can make plays, and put up Harden like numbers. This would also rejuvenate the fanbase and sell more tickets.
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Watch this story: The second Richest NBA Player After Michael Jordan is not LeBron James or Kobe Bryant
What do you think of Kenny Atkinson as Hornets’ new head coach? Comment below.