Soaring Down South
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The Atlanta Hawks Just Found a Potential Lloyd Pierce Replacement

By Dallin Duffy

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 29: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets reacts against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on February 29, 2020 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 29: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Brooklyn Nets reacts against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on February 29, 2020 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Looking at the Kenny Atkinson new from an Atlanta Hawks perspective.

Let me get this out of the way first: the Atlanta Hawks should not fire second year head coach Lloyd Pierce. While I may disagree with some of his substitution patterns and find the lack of defensive improvement disheartening, it’s entirely unfair to fire a coach after two seasons while surrounding him with one of the league’s worst rosters.

Lloyd Pierce could be among the league’s worst coaches or among the league’s best, we really don’t know yet. If the Hawks are still near the bottom of the standings after next season with Clint Capela, John Collins and Trae Young all healthy, then I think it’s time to start talking about moving on.

That being said.

The Brooklyn Nets suddenly fired head coach Kenny Atkinson earlier this weekend, after nearly four years of acting as their skipper. Atkinson took over a 21-win team that lacked much talent (sound familiar?) and turned them into a  respectable playoff team, and in what was potentially his downfall: an attractive free agent destination.

He earned the head coaching gig in Brooklyn after serving as an Atlanta Hawks’ assistant coach for three years, including the famed 60-win season. With the Nets, he earned a reputation for building a strong team culture and was touted as a fantastic player development specialist.

Joe Harris, D’Angelo Russell, Caris LeVert, and Spencer Dinwiddie top the list of young players who’ve improved rapidly under Atkinson.

The 52-year-old coach will not be a free agent for long, and will probably be at the top of multiple team’s shortlist this summer.

The NBA is a brutal business, especially when it comes to coaches, which we just got another example of. If the Atlanta Hawks do decide it’s time to cut bait with Pierce, then a reunion with Atkinson makes too much sense.

Next. Best and Worst Atlanta Hawks lineups this season. dark