From the first moment the Brooklyn Nets announced Kenny Atkinson was no longer the head coach of the team, the franchise — and any report addressing the matter — has indicated the move was a mutual parting of ways. Of course, on the surface, that seems odd on Atkinson’s end given he was in position to see the team he helped dig out of the basement contend for a title in 2020-21 with Kevin Durant expected to return.
Although, there are some details that provide credence to the idea that Atkinson might’ve wanted out — an ideal example being the “big blow-up team meeting” the Wednesday before he and the Nets’ relationship ended, which The Athletic’s Shams Charania brought up during his appearance on Complex Sports’ Load Management podcast.
In that same breath, Charania mentioned Atkinson was “fired.” That’s the first time the breakup has ever been labeled that way.
Whether it was a mutual parting of ways or a firing, the move led to Jacque Vaughn’s promotion in the interim. With so many names already being linked to the head job, it seems Vaughn’s efforts in Disney won’t have an impact on his candidacy.
But Charania doesn’t necessarily think that’s the case:
I really do think the Nets will give Jacque Vaughn a legitimate opportunity to win the job. This is a guy that comes from the Spurs background, has the same pedigree as Sean Marks, has — as far as I know he does a good job at working with players, building that relationship. As crazy as it is for you guys to maybe hear, I do think Jacque Vaughn is gonna get a legitimate opportunity to win this job, and obviously we’re going to be able to see that starting July 31st.
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