Mentor’s program
Kenny Atkinson’s walk to the Nets’ bench Tuesday night will be different than the previous 36 times he has done so this season.
On the opposing Barclay Center sideline Atkinson will see his former mentor Mike Budenholzer and the familiar red, white and yellow Hawks insignia. He will see the seat he sat in for four years as an assistant coach, and the memories of wins and four trips to the playoffs will rush to his head.
Then, the ball will be tipped and the focus will turn to doing the same in Brooklyn.
“It will be strange,” Atkinson admitted. “You’re with the guy in the trenches for four years right next to him and now you’re competing against him.”
It was his years as a Hawks’ assistant when Atkinson honed his craft, paving the way to becoming the 21st coach in Nets’ history. In Atlanta, Atkinson learned the importance of the small details when it comes to sitting in the first chair along the bench.
He saw how Budenholzer stayed honest with players, and made sure each detail was accounted for. He watched how a culture change helped the Hawks win 60 games in Budenholzer’s second season and reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 2014-15.
“The idea was leaving no stone unturned, like making sure we had the right forks in the cafeteria. Taking player care to a whole new level without spoiling them,” Atkinson said. “I think from [Budenholzer], I learned how important it was to be honest with your players. Honesty is uncomfortable and you can’t be afraid of that.”
Atkinson’s honesty has helped keep a positive feeling inside a Nets’ locker room that has compiled the worst record in the NBA this season. He hasn’t shied away from saying the Nets are a team in progress.
Results have meant less than the effort shown because of a long-term goal.
“He’s the main one trying to tell us to stay positive,” forward Trevor Booker said. “He just lets us know that we’re working toward something and trying to get better on a daily basis.”
Atkinson has seen the strategy work before.
During Bundenholzer’s first season with the Hawks, the team went through a horrendous slump during the middle of the year. The Hawks dropped 14of-15 games and remaining positive became more difficult with each loss.
But the staff remained true to ‘the process’ and slowly it turned around, leading to a playoff appearance. While the Nets likely won’t be as fortunate — this is a team in a bigger transition than the Hawks were — Atkinson’s process has already led to improvements.
From Caris LeVert and Isaiah Whitehead’s development to culture-changing signings such as Booker and Jeremy Lin, the process is coming along.
“What I learned from [the losing streak] is we’re sticking with the process,” Atkinson said. “We aren’t talking about wins and losses. And when we won 60 games, there wasn’t a huge difference either. We weren’t swayed by the short-term whether it was success or defeat. That’s hard in this business.”
Time will tell how quickly “the process” works in Brooklyn.
The Nets waived former No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett and, according to multiple reports, will sign Quincy Acy, a former Knick.
Bennett played in just 23 games for the Nets, scoring five points per game, and struggled defensively.
“He was a good professional,” Atkinson said. “He did everything we asked. I think it gives him the opportunity with the 10 days to possibly get looks with other teams, and it also gives us a roster spot where we can also try some other things and other players.”
Acy is averaging 17.3 points in 12 games for the Texas Legends in the D-League while shooting 39 percent from 3-point range.