Stephen A. Smith on Kenny Atkinson’s comments about the Cavs ‘analytically’ winning 2/3 games vs. Knicks: “That moment right there is why Kenny Atkinson deserves to be an assistant coach.” (via First Take)

@FirstTake Do coaches get drug tested?

@FirstTake Analytically we won” is the softest thing a coach can say when down 2-1.

@FirstTake Stephen A. saw 2 out of 3 analytically and immediately chose violence

@FirstTake Stephen A said what a lot of people were thinking but wouldn't say out loud. Telling your team they analytically won while losing the series is the kind of comment that loses a locker room fast. Kenny Atkinson learned a hard lesson about what players actually need to hear.

@FirstTake kenny out here sounding like a stats nerd who just lost his job. ‘Analytically we won 2 of 3’ 😂 bro, the scoreboard says 0-3

@FirstTake This might be the reason why LeBron won’t go back to Cleveland

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@FirstTake First time I agree with this clown

@FirstTake Do they get to hang a banner for "analytically winning?"

@FirstTake The problem is the end all be all reliance on analytics. Everybody understands it has a place in the game, but they don’t measure a players heart, instincts, iq, etc. So while data has always and should play a factor, basing everything off of advanced analytics is a mistake.

@FirstTake

There is a massive difference between process-oriented coaching in January and survival coaching in late May. In the regular season, trusting the "expected metrics" keeps a team steady through a shooting slump. In a 3-0 hole in the Conference Finals, using it as a shield just makes a coach look entirely disconnected from the reality on the floor. ​The Knicks are out-toughing, out-scheming, and out-playing Cleveland. No one hands out rings for the highest expected score.

@FirstTake Kenny Atkinson is a fucking retard

@FirstTake He wasn't going to get fired even if they got swept. But he 100% gonna get fired now lol. Out here talking fairy tales while his team getting curb stomped.

@FirstTake That moment right there is why Kenny Atkinson deserves to be an assistant coach.

@FirstTake Fuck KA. Nigga had a chance to coach the lakers but knew shit gonna be heavy out here. Now he about to get swept.

@FirstTake That’s participation trophy mentality in the NBA.

@FirstTake might be the first good take @stephenasmith has had since he was sitting across skip bayless on first take daily

@FirstTake He might not even deserve that just straight out of the league 😭

@FirstTake He’s correct

@FirstTake Players don’t care about analytics when they’re down in the series. Say something real.

@FirstTake Damn I never knew SAS could piss me off more in a calendar year but here we are. Nobody does right when they play the Knicks if yall didn’t notice

@FirstTake Hold up

@FirstTake Haha Stephen A. cooking Kenny Atkinson 😆 That’s cold.

The Cavs blew a 22-point fourth quarter lead at home in Game 1. You don't get to hand that to the analytics table; that is a fundamental, late game execution meltdown. Cleveland is shooting a miserable 29.4% from three point range in this series because New York’s defense is making them uncomfortable. Meanwhile, the Knicks are shooting over 41% on catch and shoot looks because Jalen Brunson is completely breaking down the Cavs' perimeter defense. That isn't bad luck that's a talent and execution gap.

@FirstTake 😂😂😂 Stephen A keepin it a buck

@FirstTake he definitely does as long as he’s been there

@FirstTake Everybody loves analytics until a coach uses them 😂😂

@FirstTake 🤦‍♂️👀

@FirstTake Rare W

@FirstTake Exactly

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@FirstTake He’s right like why say that agin after another underachieving season

@FirstTake Lmao 🤣