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Stephen A. Smith Says Kenny Atkinson Deserves Demotion After Cavs Comments
ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith said Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson should be an assistant if his team is swept by the New York Knicks. The Cavaliers trail 0-3 in the Eastern Conference finals. Game 4 is scheduled for Monday night in Cleveland.
May 25, 4:04 PM·1m read1 source
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Stephen A. Smith said on ESPN's First Take that Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson deserves to be an assistant coach after Atkinson stated his team had analytically won two of three games against the New York Knicks. The Cavaliers trail the Knicks 0-3 in the Eastern Conference finals. Atkinson made the remark during a Sunday press conference, citing an expected-score metric.
Smith said the comment was egregious and that some owners would have a pink slip ready if Cleveland loses Game 4 on Monday night at Rocket Arena.
Atkinson led the Cavaliers to a 64-18 regular-season record and the top seed in the Eastern Conference during the 2024-25 season, earning NBA Coach of the Year honors. The Knicks have won their last 10 playoff games, including a 5-0 record on the road. All five New York starters have scored in double figures during the last four games of the series.
