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Kenny Atkinson addressed Cleveland Cavaliers preparations for their first-round series against the Toronto Raptors during a practice interview on Thursday, April 16, focusing on defense, execution, and playoff readiness ahead of Game 1 in Cleveland.
On defensive confidence, Atkinson pointed to late-season performance against elite offenses and said: “I’m confident in our defense. I’m not going into this series worried about our defense.”
Atkinson emphasized transition defense and ball security: “Great defenses start with transition defense. That’s where it starts especially in today’s NBA,” adding: “It does start with taking care of the ball and taking good shots. Early live ball turnovers that’s like a death sentence for your transition defense.”
He also stressed urgency in possessions, saying: “We got to win the sprint game. Everybody’s talking about physicality and sure that’s a part of it.”
Atkinson addressed defensive communication and engagement, saying: “We’ve addressed it. Rebounding being a part of that,” and added: “I definitely think it’s correctable,” noting that “Teams have shot unbelievably well from three against our team this year.”
He highlighted scouting adjustments: “We’re trying everything on the margins to improve that including really understanding personnel,” and added: “What three point shooting do we want to take away? What guys can we help off of? That’s what the playoffs are about.”
On playoff preparation structure, Atkinson said: “Hopefully we’ve done a good job to gradually prepare for the playoffs where it isn’t just a switch,” pointing to in-season buildup toward postseason habits.
Atkinson praised veteran leadership, saying: “I think the leaders help with that,” and noted stability: “Up twenty, down twenty… they stay calm, they stay poised,” comparing temperament to “the Roger Federers of the world.”
On Dennis Schroder experience, he said: “Dennis is going to be a big part of this because of his experience,” adding: “This guy’s done it in the playoffs. He’s had a big role… Expecting him to help us throughout the playoffs big time.”
He emphasized roster flexibility: “We’re deep. We can go to our thirteenth guy,” and added confidence: “We have a good sample size of seeing him play. So that gives me more confidence.”
Atkinson concluded on coaching philosophy and external talk: “I’m so invested in the players and their success,” and on identity: “Double down on who we are.”
