Kenny Atkinson claimed that he didn’t view his return to Brooklyn to face the Nets with the best team in the NBA as vindication.

Kenny Atkinson returned as a head coach to Brooklyn with his new team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, on Monday night, the 57-year-old, who led the Nets for four seasons, is now coaching the team with the NBA's best record.

Atkinson said he has started delegating more responsibility to his assistants, and his coaching evolution has clearly benefited the Cavaliers. Atkinson and the Cavs won their firs

It’s been nearly four years since the Brooklyn Nets fired Kenny Atkinson. He now has his eyes on a championship while leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA-best 22-4 record. Atkinson will return to Barclays Center as a head coach on Monday for the first time since his Nets tenure.

Ben Simmons, stepping back into the Brooklyn Nets‘ starting lineup at point guard following Sunday’s Dennis Schröder trade, got off to a promising start on Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center.

After facing the Nets for the first time as a head coach, Kenny Atkinson admitted he was extra motivated to beat the team that fired him. Now in his first return to Barclays Center as a head coach, his players want to win one for their coach.