As the Cleveland Cavaliers effort issues continue, one NBA insider has a theory comes to Kenny Atkinson's defense as he tries to find the starting lineup that sparks his team
Rumors have been swirling for several weeks now that the Cleveland Cavaliers may look to make a notable change by firing head coach Kenny Atkinson if the team can't turn things around in the early going of the new year.
Once considered the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, the Wine and Gold currently sit with a 21-18 record and are the No. 8 seed in the East if the playoffs started today.
Effort has been one of the most glaring issues holding back the Cavaliers so far this season, particularly on the defensive end of the floor. And while the easy thing to do may be blaming Atkinson for the team's lack of "want to," NBA insider Brian Windhorst rebuffed the idea that that particular issue falls on the second-year head coach.
"Kenny is obviously trying to get them to play with the intensity, and they're just not doing it," Windhorst said during an interview with ESPN Cleveland.
In fairness, Atkinson can only do so much. It's up to the players to go out and perform, play hard and execute his game plan. That doesn't mean he's been perfect, though, either.
In a strange move on Thursday night, Atkinson opted for inserting Craig Porter Jr. into the starting lineup, – a group that's already undersized as is with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. It didn't work out at all, with the revised starting unit posting a -19 when they were on the floor together.
Windhorst also had a theory on why Atkinson made Porter Jr. a starter.
"I have no idea what he's doing there," he began. "He is trying like crazy to get consistent effort and Craig Porter is the one who's doing it and so he keeps rewarding Craig Porter, trying to get everyone else to do it."
There could be some truth to Atkinson's desperation. Between the lack of effort and injuries, Atkinson has trotted out 20 different starting lineups this season. He's clearly still looking for the right concoction of players that will spark his team, but hasn't quite found the answer yet.
Fortunately, the Cavs still have time to change these issues, but whether or not Atkinson is here to see this season through remains a legitimate question as the trade deadline and All-Star Weekend are approaching fast.