Brooklyn Nets: Five Things to Look For This Season

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May 16, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets new head coach Kenny Atkinson answers questions from the media during press conference at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Kenny Atkinson is a Players’ Coach

The new head coach has been lauded a coach that the players love to play for. While he has not had any head coaching gigs in his career, he has had experience on NBA teams and working and interacting with players daily. His last four seasons came with the Atlanta Hawks whom he helped lead, as an assistant, to a franchise record 60 wins in 2014-2015

Atkinson is the man responsible for the inception of “Linsanity” with the New York Knicks a few years back as he fought for Jeremy Lin to make the team and get playing time. As a result, Lin was known by everyone in the game and became a superstar.

Lionel Hollins was known to be tough and not really a coach that the players could connect to. Atkinson seems like he will be stern and tough on these players, especially the young and developing ones, but the expectation is he will have a good relationship with everyone, too. Look for him to help players with potential develop and perfect their skill over the season.