Cavs

Shaq refuses to give Kenny Atkinson credit for Cavs’ start: ‘He ain’t doin’ nothin'”

Published by
Jason Simpson

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been unstoppable to start the 2024-25 NBA season, and as a result, the organization has to be thrilled with the early returns of its head-coaching change.

The Cavs parted ways with previous head coach J.B. Bickerstaff after they were eliminated from the 2024 NBA Playoffs and later hired Kenny Atkinson to take over. Atkinson now has the team at 12-0, forcing the league to take notice.

However, at least one NBA legend doesn’t think Atkinson deserves much credit for Cleveland’s perfect start. Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is skeptical of the skipper’s impact.

“He ain’t doin’ nothin’,” O’Neal said of Atkinson. “Donovan Mitchell is playin’.”

Co-host Charles Barkley then called O’Neal a “dummy” who doesn’t believe in coaching, and O’Neal gladly admitted that he doesn’t, in fact, believe in coaching.

But O’Neal is almost certainly in the minority on this one, and Atkinson likely doesn’t care who gets the credit as long as his squad keeps winning.

O’Neal’s suggestion that Mitchell deserves the credit for Cleveland’s hot start is an interesting one, especially since the guard has been asked to do less this season compared to previous years. He’s currently averaging fewer minutes and fewer shots per game than he did last season, and as a result, his scoring is also down.

  • Mitchell last season: 35.3 minutes per game, 19.8 field-goal attempts per game, 26.6 points per game
  • Mitchell this season: 30.7 minutes per game, 18.0 field-goal attempts per game, 23.7 points per game

But that certainly isn’t a knock on Mitchell, who is enjoying one of the most efficient seasons of his career and playing winning basketball. Rather, the season he’s having may be an indication that Atkinson has found ways to build a more balanced offensive attack, allowing the team to avoid being overly dependent on Mitchell.

The Cavs currently lead the league in points per game as a team at 122.4. Players like Darius Garland and Evan Mobley are having impressive offensive seasons, and those are developments that Atkinson may deserve credit for as well.

Whether O’Neal believes in the concept of coaching or not, Atkinson is looking like a major threat to win the Coach of the Year award, something that would speak for itself.

Jason Simpson

Jason is a copy writer and editor with experience covering professional sports and current events. He is excited about being a part of the Ahn Fire Digital team.

Published by
Jason Simpson

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

5 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

2 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago