Atkinson’s Influences
Prior to his hiring, Atkinson worked on the staff of head coaches Mike D’Antoni and Mike Budenholzer. On the coaching family tree, Atkinson is a grandchild of Gregg Popovich via Budenholzer. There’s probably some weird intermingling there, with Atkinson a second-cousin once removed to previous Nets head coaches. Atkinson is the product of D’Antoni’s innovative pistol offense and Budenholzer’s “Spurs East” style of basketball.
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The basic bones of the offense are inherited from Mike Budenholzer. Several of the Nets’ key actions are taken from the Hawks’ playbook, with their own Brooklyn flavor. Atkinson has taken the Hawks’ playbook and injected epinephrine (more commonly known as adrenaline for the non-scientifically inclined) into it. The motion offense run in Brooklyn is free-flowing and fast-paced. Additionally, Atkinson encourages each player to shoot his shot/slide into the DM’s if he’s open.