Stephen A. Smith Lashes Out at Kenny Atkinson For Using Analytics to Justify 0-3 Series Deficit

Stephen A. Smith and many analysts and fans have not appreciated when Kenny Atkinson or others use analytics to defend themselves.

Stephen A. Smith Lashes Out at Kenny Atkinson For Using Analytics to Justify 0-3 Series Deficit

Stephen A. Smith and Kenny Atkinson (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Kenny Atkinson used analytics to explain the Cavaliers' 0-3 deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals, sparking criticism.
  • Stephen A. Smith argued that reliance on analytics undermines traditional basketball insights and accountability.
  • The discussion highlights a broader trend of analytics influencing coaching decisions and player evaluations in the NBA.

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson sent Stephen A. Smith and the basketball world into a tizzy after using analytics to justify his team being down 0-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The 58-year-old coach suggested that, as per ‘expected score’ calculations, his team was not that far off from the New York Knicks. He believes that with a bit more effort, his players would be able to turn the series around.

The problem with that explanation is that those who have been watching basketball know how analytics can end up giving the wrong idea to those who do not know how far they should lean on it.

That moment right there is why Kenny Atkinson deserves to be an assistant coach… For any coach to have that come out of their mouth, it’s egregious… There’s some owners out there that would have the pink slip ready for him the second they lose tonight!

Stephen A. Smith said

The longtime analyst reminded his First Take colleagues of how Daryl Morey lost his job as the GM of the Houston Rockets when he gave a similar bizarre explanation to owner Tilman Fertitta after they lost a playoff game.

However, Smith made it clear that analytics and data are good to use if correctly implemented. It is when people use them to substantiate a wrong decision, or to justify something inexplicable, that things go out of hand. That is where the Cavaliers’ head coach got it wrong.

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Stephen A. Smith believes dependence on analytics has pushed out great basketball minds

Analytics has taken precedence over the last few years, and more and more coaches and front office executives rely on it. But Stephen A. Smith reminded viewers that the great Pat Riley has been using it since the ’80s.

James Harden and Kenny Atkinson
James Harden and Kenny Atkinson (Image via League Alerts/X)

What’s new is the focus that has been placed on it, in terms of justification for hiring certain dudes to run your franchise… So you hire people… that speak your lingo, that’s essentially an extension of you… You weed out brilliant basketball minds who pay attention to eye test, instincts, and actual results that really, really matter.

Stephen A. Smith said

The Queens, New York, native pointed out that the dependency of owners on these stat geniuses is what goes lost when their respective teams struggle.

In Kenny Atkinson‘s case, Smith believes that he completely lost the plot. The Cavaliers were down 0-3, and the last thing he should have done was to use analytics to justify their position. Instead, he should have been the coach and taken accountability. That last part is something many have felt that these analytics guys always miss out on.

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Rich Paul reveals how analytics led Pelicans not to draft future All-Star Tyrese Maxey

Atkinson has opened a hornet’s nest with his comments using analytics. It just so happens that Daryl Morey just lost his job as the President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, as some of his data-driven decisions were cited as the reason for their mistakes.

When Tyrese Maxey was coming out… I begged the Pelicans… They had the 13th pick. (They said), ‘Oh, man, he don’t shoot the 3 that well.’ I said, ‘What tape are you watching?’… I just saw this guy make 25 threes in a row… Analytics does not tell what kind of heart you have in key moments of the game to make a wide-open shot.

Rich Paul revealed

The super agent essentially pointed out how analytically-driven executives do not see the players’ intangibles, and that is why the Pelicans are at the bottom, while Tyrese Maxey is a two-time All-Star.

In fact, if the 76ers are to move forward, they would likely build around the Kentucky guard. The Pelicans had the chance, but ended up using analytics to draft a player who is on his fourth G League team.

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