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How Cleveland Cavaliers Media Day availability with Kenny Atkinson, Koby Altman unfolded
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- How Cleveland Cavaliers Media Day availability with Kenny Atkinson, Koby Altman unfolded
INDEPENDENCE — Did you know Cavaliers Media Day availability is actually being split into multiple days this year?
New coach Kenny Atkinson and president of basketball operations Koby Altman held their Media Day availability Friday morning at Cleveland Clinic Courts. The more traditional portion of Media Day will feature Cavs players, and it's scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse . Training camp starts Tuesday.
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Atkinson and Altman began speaking at 10:03 a.m. Friday. Here are our updates as they unfolded throughout the news conference .
Kenny Atkinson, the new head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, discusses his thoughts on moving into the new role during a news conference, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Independence.
Koby Altman continues to contend 'core four' of Cavs fits together. Darius Garland is a big part of it
Altman maintained his stance about data indicating Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell work well together as a guard tandem.
Altman said the Cavs need to bring Garland "back to that level, that All-Star level" and "in the playoffs we're going to need that ultra-dynamic backcourt."
Altman said center Jarrett Allen and forward Evan Mobley are a good fit primarily because they lead a dynamic defense.
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"The easy thing is to break the thing up, right? But like I said, there's way more evidence that speaks to success than not," Altman said.
Atkinson said Garland told him the other day, "Coach, we vibe. This group vibes."
Kenny Atkinson speaks about how he plans to tackle his new role as coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers during a news conference July 1 in Independence.
Coach Kenny Atkinson says he'll use rotation of 10 or 11 Cavs players
Atkinson said he wants to "celebrate our depth" on the roster and trust it.
"I'm going to play 10 guys right off the bat," Atkinson said. "I'd even say 11, that's very possible."
One depth player Cavs brass spoke about is backup point guard Ty Jerome , who missed nearly all of last season with ankle issues. Altman said Jerome has "been balling in September" open gyms.
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How can Kenny Atkinson help the Cavs advance farther in the NBA playoffs?
Atkinson was asked how he can help the Cavs go deeper into the playoffs.
"The first thing is health," Atkinson said.
Atkinson said keeping the team healthy and building toward peak performance in the playoffs is a collective organizational approach.
Another key factor in the postseason is adjusting to matchups, Atkinson said. Readying for playoff adjustments during the regular season is necessary, he added.
"How are we building our details to our adjustments?" Atkinson said.
Mar 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (25) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jarrett Allen is crucial to the Cavs, Koby Altman says
Altman said center Jarrett Allen is extremely important to the Cavaliers , as evidenced by the contract extension he received this offseason.
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"He's the core of our defense, super consistent," Altman said.
Altman pointed out Allen played 81 games in a row before a fractured rib sidelined him during the playoffs.
Altman said another player who received a contract extension, Isaac Okoro , "only wants to be in Cleveland." Altman said even during an "awkward phase" in which Okoro was in limbo as a restricted free agent he continued to wear Cavs gear in social media posts. Altman explained Okoro's loyalty excited him.
In which ways do the Cleveland Cavaliers expect to be better in 2024-25? Evan Mobley is a hot topic along those lines
Atkinson said Evan Mobley is just going to get better because of his age (23 years old). He is already an elite defender.
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"The offensive improvement is important, so I think structurally we can do some things and hopefully you'll see that pretty soon what we're going to do" with Mobley, Atkinson said.
Altman said Mobley's evolution "starts with usage."
What are the Cavs' expectations for the 2024-25 season?
Altman said the next step for the Cavs is to win rounds (plural) of the playoffs. He conceded it's difficult to achieve.
Altman said the goal for the organization is always to win a championship.
Apr 12, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles beside Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) in the second quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
What did the Cleveland Cavaliers do during the 2024 NBA offseason? Donovan Mitchell's contract extension tops the list of moves
From a roster standpoint, the Cavs are running it back after beating the Orlando Magic in seven games during Round 1 of the NBA playoffs and falling to the eventual champion Boston Celtics in five games during the Eastern Conference semifinals.
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Altman said the franchise's goal was to extend the runway for the team's core.
"It was very methodical in that we wanted to keep our best players in town," Altman said. "... For us, it was a major success."
The Cavs signed guard Donovan Mitchell , forward Evan Mobley , center Jarrett Allen and small forward Isaac Okoro to contract extensions. They drafted wing Jaylon Tyson in the first round (No. 20 overall).
"Continuity is a coach's dream," Atkinson said. "... It's a young team, so internal improvement is huge for us."
Securing Mitchell, a five-time All-Star, for three more seasons highlighted the Cavs' offseason.
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"I think we're going to have a real good plan in place to elevate him to be even more efficient and even a better player," Atkinson said of Mitchell.
Altman said Mitchell's extension will allow the Cavs to compete for championships for years to come.
For a complete rundown of Cavs offseason moves, check out our tracker .
More Cavs news: Cleveland Cavaliers to mark 30 years at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse when they play Lebron James and Los Angeles Lakers
When did the Cavs fire coach J.B. Bickerstaff and hire coach Kenny Atkinson?
The most significant change the Cavs made this offseason was at head coach .
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The Cavs fired coach J.B. Bickerstaff on May 23 and reached an agreement with Atkinson on June 24 to become their new coach.
Bickerstaff spent four-plus seasons at the helm of the Cavs and compiled a 170-159 regular-season record. The Cavs made the playoffs the past two seasons under his guidance. They were eliminated by the New York Knicks in five games during the first round in 2023. Then they ran into the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals this past May.
Atkinson spent the past three seasons as an assistant to Golden State Warriors coach and former Cavs player Steve Kerr. Atkinson went 118-190 in three-plus regular seasons spanning 2016-20 as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets . He guided the 2018-19 Nets to the playoffs. They suffered a 4-1 first-round loss to the Philadelphia 76ers .
Cavaliers 2024-25 schedule: Home opener, when LeBron James visits and everything else to know
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When is the Cleveland Cavaliers season opener?
The Cavs open the 2024-25 regular season on the road against the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 23. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
When is the Cavs home opener?
The Cavs will play their first home game of the 2024-25 regular season on Oct. 25 against the Detroit Pistons . Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The new head coach of the Pistons is none other than Bickerstaff.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs Media Day highlights from Kenny Atkinson, Koby Altman
