The Elating Highs and Deflating Lows of Kenny Atkinson’s First Season

NBA head coaches are judged harder than anyone else, and the Brooklyn Nets‘ Kenny Atkinson isn’t immune to that treatment.

Atkinson took on this project fully knowing that it was just that — a project. It’s his first season as a head coach after spending seven years as an assistant with the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks, and it’s been a rocky road, to say the least.

Going from a team like Atlanta, an established organization who’s routinely in the playoff picture, to the Brooklyn Nets, is jumping from one end of the spectrum to the other. And then building another spectrum and jumping the end of that one.

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With a new front office and a young, unproven roster, Atkinson’s task with the Brooklyn Nets was grandiose. It would be a learning process, but none of the players were against him coming to the team. In fact, they loved it. He’s earned a reputation as a player’s coach, and his ability to develop talent is second-to-none. All the rookies and second-year players would have a chance to blossom under one of the best in the business, but it wasn’t sunshine and rainbows.

As the headline alludes to, it’s been bad and good all year long. Unfortunately, more of the former. But there have been wonderful moments sprinkled throughout.