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Knicks Under Pressure After Nets Hire Kenny Atkinson

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; World Team head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Atlanta Hawks (left) instructs World Team guard Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves (22) during the second half against the U.S. Team at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; World Team head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Atlanta Hawks (left) instructs World Team guard Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves (22) during the second half against the U.S. Team at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Brooklyn Nets have hired Atlanta Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson to be the team’s next head coach. The New York Knicks are now facing even greater pressure to find a coach of their own.

As of Saturday, April 16, the New York Knicks weren’t the only New York franchise searching for a head coach. The Brooklyn Nets were in a similar position as they attempted to find franchise player Brook Lopez his 10th coach since entering the NBA in 2008.

The Nets’ brilliant hiring of Atlanta Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson has placed quite the burden on New York to find a similarly capable coach for Carmelo Anthony.

Merely hiring someone doesn’t make the Nets the temporary winner in the simultaneous coaching searches. The man whom Brooklyn hired to fill the vacancy is simply far too respected to view the move as anything but impressive and intriguing.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Brooklyn has hired Atkinson to be its next head coach.

That leaves just one New York team without a man in charge.

Atkinson may not have been on the media’s radar, but he’s widely regarded as one of the best personnel developers in the NBA. He targets players’ weaknesses, turns them into strengths, and facilitates the development of a winning culture through his confidence in his team’s ability to persevere.

In other words, he’s the perfect coach to turn the dwindling Nets around.

As New York searches for a head coach, Brooklyn now has a sense of stability. This isn’t a desperation hire, but instead one that displays a methodical search for a name and mind who knows what it takes to be a successful leader of an NBA team.

According to Kevin Arnowitz of ESPN, four-time All-Star Al Horford credits Atkinson with helping him develop into the versatile star he’s become.

"“He believes you can improve as a player, even at the highest level, and that there’s always something you can add to your game,” Hawks big man Al Horford says. “He’s been here for three years with me, and he’s challenged me. For instance, before he got here, I was pretty much a shooter on the pick-and-pop. I was never really driving. Kenny has challenged me to put the ball on the floor. It’s something we’ve worked on together, and now it’s something I feel comfortable doing.”"

That’s high praise from a tremendous player.

If you recognize Atkinson’s name, it’s likely because he was an assistant for the Knicks from 2008 to 2012. He’s been with the Hawks ever since, helping the team achieve a franchise-record 60 wins in 2014-15, and rank No. 2 in defensive efficiency in 2015-16.

Atkinson was previously listed as one of DailyKnicks’ outside-the-box options to become New York’s next head coach.

With Brooklyn making a smart hire, it’s time for the Knicks to do the same. There are a vast number of options available to the Knicks, ranging from the proven and beloved, to the unknown and promising.

More knicks: Who does Carmelo Anthony want the Knicks to hire as the next head coach?

The question is, when will Phil Jackson make his move? More importantly, who will he hire?

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