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Nets introduce new head coach Kenny Atkinson

Kenny Atkinson  (Elsa/Getty Images)

Kenny Atkinson (Elsa/Getty Images)

 

(BROOKLYN) —  The Brooklyn Nets introduced new head coach Kenny Atkinson at a long-awaited press conference on Monday afternoon at the HSS Training Center.

The former Atlanta Hawks assistant coach was introduced to the media and fans by general manager Sean Marks.  The press conference had been delayed several weeks due to Atkinson’s obligations to the Hawks, who were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by the Cleveland Cavaliers last week.  Once they were eliminated from the playoffs, Atkinson’s reign as the 21st head coach in Nets franchise history had begun.

Atkinson said he aggressively pursued the Nets job because he wanted to work with Marks.  He is also a native New Yorker, having grown up on Long Island.  Many of Atkinson’s family members were in attendance, and he got a little choked up while thanking the Hawks organization for his time there.

Several players were seated in the front row at the press conference, including Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Chris McCullough, Markel Brown, Sean Kilpatrick and Thaddeus Young.  Brook Lopez was unable to attend, but Atkinson said in his opening statement that the two have been in constant communication.  After hearing what Marks and Atkinson had to say about the current talent on the roster, it appears as if both Lopez and Young will be a part of the team’s plans moving forward.

Atkinson has yet to fill out the remainder of his coaching staff, but did confirm that former Net Jacque Vaughn will serve as his lead assistant.  He was very insightful when asked about his vision for the team moving forward.

“Build. Build patiently, intelligently, and from my standpoint, the message that these guys are gonna be hearing is that we’re gonna put a competitive group first and foremost on the floor.

Atkinson certainly has his work cut out for him.  The Nets have some young pieces in place, but it is up to him and Sean Marks to get this team headed in the right direction.  The roster has Lopez and Young, some young players and not much else.  Throw in the fact that the Nets don’t have many draft picks in the next several years, and you get the point.  It will be a long rebuild in Brooklyn, but there is great faith that Marks and Atkinson are the right men for the job.

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Jason Goldstein is a co host of the Baseline Jumper NBA podcast, recording every Tuesday night along Ben McDonald. Jason has also spent time as the Basketball Editor at DoubleGSports.com while also handling the Brooklyn Nets Lead Writer duties since October 2015.
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