#Nets Head Coach Kenny Atkinson: "I'm excited to go forward and build a strong Brooklyn Nets team." #Nets pic.twitter.com/p9592uYRr5
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 16, 2016
The Brooklyn Nets held a press conference to introduce new head coach Kenny Atkinson.
Kenny Atkinson was hired to be the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets on Apr. 17, but the Atlanta Hawks assistant was busy helping his former team in the playoffs.
With the Hawks recently eliminated, Atkinson was free to be introduced by his new team under his new title, head coach.
The Nets held a press conference at their brand new $50 million practice facility in Brooklyn to introduce their new leader.
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Atkinson was joined by general manager Sean Marks; while Thaddeus Young, Sean Kilpatrick, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Markel Brown, and Chris McCullough watched their new coach from the crowd.
New @BrooklynNets Head Coach Kenny Atkinson excited to go forward and build a strong team.https://t.co/pfcgVQgUQs
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 16, 2016
Big welcome to the #Nets squad from @SeanKilpatrick_ @iMarkelBrown22 & @briskuno! https://t.co/XjD48G51lr
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 16, 2016
Nets players in attendance for Kenny Atkinson introduction: Thad Young, Markel Brown, Chris McCullough, Sean Kilpatrick & Hollis-Jefferson.
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) May 16, 2016
— NetsDaily.com (@NetsDaily) May 16, 2016
The press conference went a long way towards determining the future which the Marks/Atkinson regime envision. Despite constant rumors and injury concerns, Young confirmed he was told he and Brook Lopez will not be traded in the offseason.
Thaddeus Young: "I've been told I'll be here, along with Brook." #Nets
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) May 16, 2016
Atkinson confirmed his trust in Brooklyn’s two top guns with promising words about their character. Young and Atkinson have actually become close, and according to Young he’s going to be relied upon as much more than just a player.
Atkinson called Thaddeus Young "my guy." With big smile
— NetsDaily.com (@NetsDaily) May 16, 2016
Young says he and Atkinson text all the time
— NetsDaily.com (@NetsDaily) May 16, 2016
Young says he's been asked to help in recruiting. He adds Marks told him "I'll be here" next season
— NetsDaily.com (@NetsDaily) May 16, 2016
Kenny Atkinson has spoken with Brook Lopez about his "vision" moving forward. The new Nets coach says next… https://t.co/8MydTsgLx0
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) May 16, 2016
Atkinson’s first important move is to assemble a coaching staff. He confirmed today that he has already started, hiring former Orlando Magic head coach and San Antonio Spurs assistant Jacque Vaughn.
Atkinson confirmed Jacque Vaughn as lead assistant
— NetsDaily.com (@NetsDaily) May 16, 2016
Vaughn, like Marks is another member of the Spurs family. Although Atkinson never actually worked for the Spurs, he coached under Mike Budenholzer with the Hawks, another former Spurs assistant. Atkinson has Spurs ties and both he and Marks have made it clear that much like Budenholzer in Atlanta they plan on mimicking the Spurs model of success.
Kenny Atkinson says the Nets "definitely" want to follow the Spurs' model for success… https://t.co/1l2RONaNsq pic.twitter.com/PIirBQrkUp
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) May 16, 2016
Trying to be the Spurs is a tall order, but Marks has received nothing but praise since taking the reigns and Atkinson has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. Right now it seems like a perfect match.
