Ranking the first 5 candidates in the Milwaukee Bucks’ coaching search

No. 1 – Kenny Atkinson

When these first five coaching candidates were revealed, the one that was met with the most warmth was Kenny Atkinson. The current Golden State Warriors assistant served as the coach of the Brooklyn Nets between 2016-20, having tallied 308 regular season contests and five playoff games in one appearance. He’s officially the first candidate the Milwaukee Bucks have been given permission to interview in what should be a lengthy search.

Atkinson has been around some great minds during his coaching career, such as Mike D’Antoni, Mike Budenholzer, Tyronn Lue, and Steve Kerr. Having served as an assistant under all of them, he certainly must have plenty of ideas when it comes to coaching his own team. He was reportedly in line to accept the Hornets’ opening last off-season before deciding to return to Golden State, but perhaps the idea of coaching a Milwaukee Bucks team seeking a new voice could lure him away.

Part of what makes Atkinson such an interesting candidate is the culture he developed in Brooklyn when he took over as head coach. The Nets were trying to end a tough rebuild, and Atkinson made Brooklyn a scrappy and fun team that made its way into the postseason. Again, there would be a far different set of circumstances in Milwaukee, but Atkinson’s ability to help establish a culture or build on the current one is compelling.

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