Fresh off the Cleveland Cavaliers getting humiliated on their home floor in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks, falling into a 3-0 series deficit, according to Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson, the analytics tell him they are up 2-1 in the series. That bewildering take must be minimal consolation to the Cavs fanbase, who could witness their team being swept on Monday night.
Judging by the reaction in NBA circles, this take, which has been roundly criticized as “absurd,” adds to the Cavaliers’ humiliation.
Head Coach Kenny Atkinson Adds To Cavaliers Humiliation With Bizarre Take, Widely Described As “Absurd”
Atkinson told reporters, with more than a tinge of desperation in his hand gestures: “Analytically, I think we’ve won, I said three out of three, we’re two-out-of-three…in the expected score we’ve won two out of three. I know you’re looking confused. If you believe in process and all that, you know…take that layer.”
Here are some examples on Twitter/X of the reactions to his take:
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 24, 2026
Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins simply wrote, “Cool.”
Another X user demanding that Atkinson should be let go before the series-decider, “Gotta fire him.”
Gotta fire him before Game 4. https://t.co/L5ctwzcVfa
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) May 24, 2026
A1 Fantasy Sports is calling for Atkinson to get fired if they lose Monday, citing former Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau being fired after last year’s conference finals defeat to the Indiana Pacers. “If the Cavs lose tomorrow, the boot has to happen. Thibs wasn’t even bad in comparison to whatever this is.”
Tom Thibodeau got fired last year after the ECF.
If the Cavs lose tomorrow, the boot needs to happen. Thibs wasn’t even bad in comparison to whatever this is https://t.co/kbieZVwXGM
— A1FantasySports (@a1fantasy23) May 24, 2026
NBA insider Brett Siegel also criticized the take, reminding Atkinson that analytics isn’t everything in playoff series: “Another example that analytics don’t win in the playoffs – only the regular season.”
A member of Barstool Sports described this unflatteringly as “a remarkable quote.”
Former NBA player Eddie Johnson wrote a furious tweet lamenting how the league has changed markedly since he played.
“What has our game come to! I remember when we used to just play basketball and took what the defense gave us and just enjoyed getting the bucket. The beauty and choreography was unreal. Now a coach is saying they are up 2-1 analytically although actually down 3-0.”
What has our game come too! I remember when we use to just play basketball and took what the defense gave us and just enjoyed getting the bucket. The beauty and choreography was unreal. Now a coach is saying they are up 2-1 analytically although actually down 3-0. 🤷🏾 https://t.co/cL4IUoaacR
— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) May 24, 2026
A prominent Cleveland sports account described Atkinson’s quote and also wished for his firing: “This is one of the most absurd things I’ve seen a coach say when losing 0-3 in a playoff series. Please put this man on a plane and fly him to the literal furthest point humanly possible from Cleveland, Ohio.”
A Cleveland fan page, ‘MoreForYouCleveland,’ also ripped the quote, describing it succinctly as a “Loser mentality.”
As we can see, the response has been swift and brutal. Honestly, what exactly Atkinson is trying to prove by this take is hard to decipher. The box score tells the story: The Knicks won game two convincingly, 109-93, then traveled to Cleveland and won again by double digits, 121-108.
It genuinely feels like the Knicks ripped the soul out of Cleveland by coming back from a 20-point deficit in the final 7 minutes of game one to defeat them handily in overtime.
James Harden looks utterly unable to keep Jalen Brunson in front of him, and they don’t have the shooting, defense, and athleticism at the wings to stop Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.
Moreover, Atkinson has likely given the Knicks’ locker room bulletin board material. The Knicks have been on a historic run, winning 10 straight playoff games in devastating fashion, humiliating their opponents on the court to an average points differential of 22.5.
It’s an astonishing take to say the analytics have Cleveland 2-1 ahead, given the Knicks dominance, which will almost certainly see them reach the NBA finals.
