Kenny Atkinson Reveals How Cavs Are Addressing Defensive Slippage
The Cleveland Cavaliers have begun to show cracks in their rotations. The defense has begun to slip, and rebounding has fallen off, and with it, three losses in seven games have made them look beatable.
When speaking to the media on April 1, head coach Kenny Atkinson admitted that both defense and rebounding had been a focus in that day’s practice session.
“We really had slippage in the past month,” Atkinson said. “We did a couple drills today, like in college, box out drills. And we showed some film on it. Listen, sometimes it’s coach slippage too. I don’t want to put it all on the players. I asked our staff, ‘Have we slipped in terms of emphasizing it?’ This is the challenge we have. We have so many things on the wall to get better at, but I feel like it gets glossed over sometimes.”
Atkinson’s comments came as the Cavaliers finally got to work through some of their issues. The team has been unable to practice for weeks. Now that the coaching staff and players have worked through the film and put some plans in place, the hope is that their defense and rebounding will improve.
Atkinson Had Previously Called Out Rebounding
On March 28, the Cavaliers lost to the Detroit Pistons 122-133. During that game, Detroit secured 16 offensive boards. Atkinson shared his disappointment in his team’s rebounding effort during his postgame news conference.
“I think there’s some technique stuff,” Atkinson said. “I think sometimes it comes down to hitting first. It’s just physicality and aggressiveness. With rebounding, there’s not a ton of tactics involved. At the end of the day, I think I’ve come to the conclusion it’s whoever gets hit first, drives the other guy out, and you go get the rebound. It’s obvious we’re lacking in that area right now.”
