Eager to make Charlotte a stronghold of the league, Michael Jordan was particularly looking for a renowned coach. According to Shams Charania, the lucky winner has also been found… Unfortunately, it seems that the fans of Buzz City are not at all of the same opinion as His Airness.
10th in the Eastern Conference in the regular season (43 wins for 39 losses), the Hornets seem to be a very promising squad in the future. With LaMelo Ball in the lead and Miles Bridges author of a big progression in 2021-22, North Carolina players played attractive and quite spectacular basketball until April. Unfortunately, they failed the Play-In for the second straight year, a stagnation that cost coach James Borrego his place.
Logically, it was therefore necessary to find a successor to the tactician, and one name in particular came up many times in the discussions: Kenny Atkinson. Currently on the Warriors bench, with whom he is fighting for the title, Steve Kerr’s assistant is courted by a lot of franchises, but it is the Hornets who have their hands on the case. Shams Charania has just confirmed it, a signature of the person concerned is imminent in Charlotte:
Kenny Atkinson new Hornets coach
Atkinson met with Charlotte Hornets officials — including owner Michael Jordan — on Wednesday and the franchise has decided on the former Nets coach as its new head coach, sources said. Atkinson brings development and defensive structure to a young and talented roster. https://t.co/MqlwGJxzz9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 10, 2022
The Charlotte Hornets are closing in on Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson as the franchise’s next head coach. Atkinson met with Hornets executives, including owner Michael Jordan, and the franchise decided to make him their new coach.
A former Nets coach, Atkinson is respected in the NBA for his talent as a developer, capable of helping young athletes progress. Ideal for a group like Buzz City on paper… except that on the fan side, the news was greeted with very little enthusiasm. According to them, he is not the one who will take their favorite franchise to the next level, and they are instead calling for another big name in the league who currently officiates at the Sixers:
I would’ve rather the Hornets had got Mike D’Antoni.
— Nikkita Lyons’ Boyfriend (@NotoriousVIC007) June 11, 2022
I would have preferred the Hornets to take Mike D’Antoni for the job.
Being deprived of Mike D’Antoni unleashing LaMelo Ball <<<
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) June 10, 2022
How to be deprived of a Mike D’Antoni who could have unleashed LaMelo Ball
Kenny Atkinson has a solid reputation across the league, but Hornets fans are obviously not convinced by this choice of Michael Jordan. The tactician will therefore have to shine from the start, if he wants to be able to win their trust.