標籤: Kenny

We’ve reached the part of the offseason where the Giants are starting to see the writing on the wall. Last year, the Indianapolis Colts traded two picks in the first round to make Sauce Gardner their new No. 1 CB. This did not change the role of Kenny Moore, who served as the team’s nickelback, but it did mean there was a new defensive leader in the clubhouse.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Moore requested and was granted his release by the Colts on Thursday.

Moore, a one-time Pro Bowler in 2021, has started 111 of the 132 games he appeared in with the Colts in 2017, when he arrived as an undrafted rookie free agent. Now 30, Moore feels he still has something to offer, just not to the Colts.

Still valued as one of the better nickelbacks in the NFL, Moore will be in high demand as a free agent. Which teams should sign a veteran corner?

RELATED: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating the worst, best teams after the NFL Draft

tennessee titans

While Moore will likely want to join a contender, we can’t completely rule out the Titans hiring Gus Bradley as their defensive coordinator. Bradley was Moore’s defensive coordinator for three seasons from 2022 to 2024, and we think both sides would welcome a reunion under the right circumstances.

tampa bay buccaneers

After saying goodbye to franchise icon Lavonte David, the Buccaneers would benefit from more experienced defensive leadership. Additionally, the team should still be looking for an upgrade considering the Buccaneers ranked near the bottom in points allowed, passing yards allowed and passing touchdowns allowed, and Tampa Bay hasn’t made many additions to its secondary this offseason.

san francisco 49ers

As mentioned, Moore may want to join a contender, and the 49ers could provide a comfortable home. The 49ers’ defensive coordinator is Matt Eberflus, who was the Colts’ defensive coordinator from Moore’s second season through his fifth season, including Moore’s only Pro Bowl season in 2021. After recording career-highs in interceptions (4) and tackles (102) in 2021, Moore will certainly welcome the chance to play for Eberflus again.

dallas cowboys

The Cowboys entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a need to improve at the cornerback position. While safety Caleb Downs would help in the secondary, the Cowboys did not select a corner until the fourth round. While Devin Moore could be part of the long-term solution in Dallas, the Cowboys may prefer to hire a veteran like Kenny Moore to help coach them.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings: From the NFL’s worst starting QBs to the best

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a four-game winning streak, and Donovan Mitchell and James Harden each scored 66 points in their latest win, but Kenny Atkinson made a point of pointing out team-wide defensive shortcomings after the Cavs’ 136-131 win over the Orlando Magic. This is the fourth instance in the last two weeks in which the Wine and Gold gave up at least 128 points to an opponent.

Atkinson said after the game, “I just told the team in the locker room, if we play defense like this, we’re going to have a short playoff stint.” “Right now, our mentality is we’re just going to outwork people. We all know when it comes playoff time, offensively it’s not going to be that easy. You’re not always going to shoot like we’re scoring right now. So if we’re giving up 132 points, 128, I don’t know, it feels like every game, we’re going nowhere.”

“I mean, we all know,” Evan Mobley said. “The good thing is we have games to get better,” Mobley said. “And we all know what we’re capable of doing at the end of the day, so that’s the main thing. I think everyone has taken it pretty positively and knows we’ve got to get better at it. Guys have to keep stepping up and getting better defensively.”

Max Strus agreed with Atkinson on the matter because “it’s true,” noting that despite finding offensive flow, 131 is “too many points” and that defensive improvements are needed “all over.”

“This is not something you want to live with,” Strus said. “We’ve got to figure it out defensively. That’s got to be our MO. We’ve got to find a way to create our identity, and that can help us win a lot of games. Everybody can make the excuse that we don’t have a rim protector in Jarrett Allen, but it starts on the ball. It starts with our communication, physicality. We just let them be aggressive, and we need to come out with physicality and make a statement on that end.”

“I think we just have to keep our energy higher and try to disrupt the ball a little bit more,” Evan Mobley said. “I think guys are getting to their spots easier, but we definitely have the pace where we do that. We just have to be able to keep it up and slow guys down a little bit because sometimes it’s too much scoring back-and-forth. Just try to be as disruptive as possible. I think that’s the key right now. On the ball, off the ball, being physical, trying to dictate the game a little bit. I feel like sometimes we let them dictate what we do.” They want to, and it’s very easy for them.”

Atkinson was disappointed with Cleveland’s competitive level and IQ level, making it clear that communication had also been poor.

“We’ve got to make a decision, Atkinson said. We’ve got two weeks to figure it out, and that’s the challenge for this group. But right now, we just think we can beat people.”

“He’s not wrong,” Mitchell said. “You love when a coach is honest with you. As we all know, we all have goals and targets on bigger things, and it’s on us to go out there and get it right. The intensity is there, but now it’s mental, thinking about different things; that’s the gameplan, that’s the execution. It’s the little things; [offensive] The boards are also huge. It’s hard to protect 24 [seconds] And then the other 14 have to be protected. Just the teams will have to be given a second chance.

The Cavs have been extremely intentional about fixing a problem that has plagued them for nearly a month.

“I think we’ve been talking about it for a minute already,” Mobley said. “So we’re all on the same page, we’re all talking about it, we’re all working on it, and we’re going to get better at it. We’ve seen it before, we’ve done it before. We’re not playing the best right now, but we have the right mindset behind it. That’s the main thing. If we weren’t, I think it’s a little more scary.”

“Very [confident],” Mitchell said. “I’m not trying to put it in a way where it sounds like we’re just going to stay there. We have to implement it.”

Atkinson doesn’t like using Jarrett Allen’s absence as a crutch, and neither do his teammates. He has missed the last nine games with right knee tendinitis and although he is close to returning, the Cavs will have to find ways to deal with the veteran center not being on the floor.

“I think a lot of times in the defensive lineup we’re used to having two big guys on the field, where we have two guys that can rotate and get there, and right now, we only have one, so it’s a little different with that aspect,” Mobley said. “Also, we can’t depend on him. He’s not playing right now, so the next guy has to step up and it’s on me to protect the rim better and everyone else to stay in their spots and not let them get to the rim that easily.”

Mitchell said, “Obviously JA isn’t playing. Our defense is definitely based around that. But we can get better, and we will.” “There are 10 sports [left]. We have to reach there now. I have no doubt that we will do that, and it’s up to the 17 of us in the locker room.”

Atkinson has a huge belief in what the Cavs have and he’s seen it firsthand, which is why he’s being so hard on them.

“We’re very capable. I think that’s where the frustration lies,” Atkinson said. “And our leaders [have] Gotta take ownership of getting that locker room to a better defense. It really starts there.

“So we’ll get another chance tomorrow night. This is a really good offensive team [in the Miami Heat]. We have to turn it on, we have to change it. “We just have to change our mentality, which is too much inclined towards the offensive end.”

Kenny Atkinson praised James Harden’s career milestone of scoring 29,000 points following the Cleveland Cavaliers’ win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.

Harden has been in the NBA since 2009, making him one of the league’s greatest scorers of all time. Heading into Cleveland’s clash with Philadelphia, he had scored 28,996 regular season points in his entire career. He needed # of points to reach the milestone of 29,000 points, to get closer to the great achievement of 30,000 points.

Harden accomplished the feat with a stellar performance during his 29 minutes of action. He finished with a stat line of 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and one block. He made 6 of 11 shots from the field, including 3 of 8 from beyond the arc and 6 of 6 from the free-throw line.

Atkinson reacted to Harden’s milestone via reporter Paris McGee Jr. after the game. The head coach hailed the moment as a testament to the veteran star’s longevity as an elite scorer in the league.

“It’s a testament to his resiliency. It’s very hard to do that consistently for so long in this league. This version of James we’re seeing, you don’t just think about scoring, I think about this complete player… When they announced it today, I was in shock, 29,000. Wow. Incredible,” Atkinson said.

Kenny Atkinson called James Harden’s milestone of 29,000 career points a testament to his longevity and elite level of flexibility.

Video: Paris McGee Jr., cleveland.com pic.twitter.com/KNkEFrC6TV

– cleveland.com Cavs (@PDcavsinsider) 10 March 2026

James Harden, how the Cavaliers played against the 76ers

It’s clear that Kenny Atkinson is proud to see James Harden make history as one of the best veteran scorers in the league. He is now eager to see Harden aim for the 30,000-point milestone.

Six players scored in double figures for Cleveland in the win over Philadelphia, including Harden. Keon Ellis proved to be a big spark off the bench with 19 points on 5-of-9 shooting overall, including 4 of 7 from downtown. Donovan Mitchell came next with 17 points and six assists, Evan Mobley had 15 points and eight rebounds, Dean Wade put up 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Jaylon Tyson provided 11 points.

Cleveland improved to a 40–25 record on the season and finished fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic, while trailing the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics.

The Cavaliers look forward to their next matchup while on the road. They will take on the Magic as tip-off takes place on March 11 at 7:30 pm ET.

Winds in the Eastern Conference may begin to blow in a different direction. Throughout the season, the Detroit Pistons have reigned supreme in the Eastern Conference. But the Boston Celtics are going after them with speed and force. On Sunday, the Celtics defeated another former contender, the Cleveland Cavaliers, 109–98 to move to 43–21 on the season and fall just 2.5 games behind the Pistons in the standings.

The Celtics may be peaking at the right time, and what makes this season so outstanding for everyone involved in the franchise is that they managed to hold down the fort and excel despite an injury to Jayson Tatum. Now that Tatum is back, the Celtics may be the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference.

But as much fanfare as Tatum and Jaylen Brown attract for their continued excellence, the Celtics won’t go anywhere without the beating heart of Derrick White, who received such high praise Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson after his altercation on Sunday.

“[He’s] Top-five player in the league,” Atkinson said of White, via the Celtics on CLNS on X. “That’s how we treat him. He really disrupts you defensively, he’s an elite rim protector. Possibly the best guard rim protector in the league. So just take all those things and put it out there and with the shooting, you’ve got a great player.

Kenny Atkinson explains why he thinks Derrick White is a top 5 player in the NBA:

“Maybe what people aren’t measuring is his defensive impact… Analytically I think it’s probably proven in different places that he’s that player and that’s how we treat him.”

“He really hinders… https://t.co/uKwr1QwmVt pic.twitter.com/GDXsc5dXvr

-Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) 8 March 2026

The Celtics’ Derrick White is a coach’s dream

Many fans were stunned when White was getting just a few more minutes than Tatum for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. But it made sense. He can fit into every lineup. He can defend multiple positions, and he enjoys doing the dirty work. And besides, he’s one of the best volume three-point shooters in the NBA.

“What people probably aren’t measuring is his defensive impact… Analytically I think it’s probably proven in different places that he’s that player and that’s how we treat him,” Atkinson said.

The NBA on Tuesday officially named Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for February, marking the third time in his career that he has won the award and the first time he has earned the honor this season. Atkinson is only the third coach in Cavs franchise history to accomplish the feat, joining Mike Brown and the late, great Lenny Wilkens.

Cleveland went 8-3 last month with a league-leading scoring average of 120.9 points per game and the top field-goal percentage (49.8%). He also averaged the third-most assists per contest (28.9).

This coincided with the incredible dominance of Jarrett Allen and the trade deadline acquisitions of James Harden, Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder.

“Bringing in James has given us new confidence, if that means anything,” Atkinson said. “We understand we’re a better team and that feeling, that confidence, for some strange reason forces you to play more and compete harder and compete harder defensively, and I felt like we were losing that edge, that confidence. So I think we’re getting that back.”

Three of the team’s four lowest opponent-scoring totals were recorded in February against the New York Knicks (94) and Los Angeles Clippers (91), and the Wine and Gold held the Brooklyn Nets to a season-low 84 points at Rocket Arena.

Offensively, Cleveland scored at least 130 points three times last month, which tied for second in the East. Its average margin of victory was 10.9 points, which ranked third in the conference. Additionally, from February 1–20, the Cavs remained undefeated and had five consecutive road wins, despite the interruption of the All-Star break.

Atkinson won the NBA Coach of the Month award twice last year, with recognition for October/November 2024 and December 2024. To catch Brown’s leading total of five with the Cavs, he will have to win it twice more.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson won the award for representing the Western Conference.

The Cavs have already had a solid start to March despite nagging injuries throughout the campaign. They have earned the next four days off before welcoming the Boston Celtics to town on Sunday afternoon.

Kenny Attkisson knows the challenges of rebuilding. The former Brooklyn Nets head coach, now leading the championship hopefuls Cleveland Cavaliers, also knows what it takes to succeed.

While Atkinson acknowledged the difficulties of the Nets’ situation, he is confident The team would eventually advance, as their group did when they made the playoffs in 2018–19.

“You will definitely go through them [hard] moment. You like to be process-oriented and stick to it, but you’re going home after the game and you’re taking that L. It’s tough, especially when they start piling up,” Atkinson said before Brooklyn’s 106-102 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. “Everyone says, ‘Okay, don’t worry.’ Of course, if you’re competitive you worry. But that’s part of it, part of going through a rebuild and part of being a young coach. You’re looking at Charlotte right now, well, they went through it. that third year [in Brooklyn] When we were successful and reached the playoffs, it was almost doubly rewarding, because you go through these real struggles and tough times.

“I’ll never forget when we won the playoffs; it was like winning the championship. It was crazy, because you look back at the first year, I think we lost 27 out of 29. It was crazy, like, ‘Will we ever win another game?’ [The turnaround] That will happen here because they have drafted really good talent. They have a good coaching staff and a good front office. It will break. You’re just waiting for it, like ‘When’s that going to happen?’ And you look at it like, ‘Is it ever going to happen?’… But they work so hard, it’s going to happen eventually with the talent they have.’

Kenny Atkinson explains whether it’s difficult to maintain a positive attitude during a rebuilding year like the Nets:

“It’s tough, especially when the losses start piling up… My first year here, I think we lost 27 out of 29. It was crazy, like, ‘Can we… pic.twitter.com/IOIruXRfkk

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 1 March 2026

The loss was the Nets’ eighth consecutive loss to Cleveland, their longest of the season. Still, a four-point loss against the fourth-seeded Cavaliers after Friday’s 148-111 loss to the Boston Celtics was a step in the right direction.

Nets searching for wins through challenges of rebuilding season

In another season of rebuilding, Brooklyn’s focus is not on wins or losses, but on development. While developmental wins are paramount, they don’t show up on the scoreboard.

Danny Wolf admitted accepting reality has been a challenge in the Nets locker room.

“Most people in the NBA come from winning teams, no matter what level,” Wolf said. “This is the first time I’ve been a part of it, I don’t say we’re a losing team, obviously our record is 15-45, but we are the youngest team in the NBA and there are a lot of valuable lessons. I don’t like to say you can learn from losing, because it hurts and it sucks, and losing as a contender is one of the worst feelings, but with such a young group, I think there’s resiliency and fight. [is important]. When you lose by four points to a team that you lost to by 30 points a week before, I think that points to improvement.”

The Nets are hoping this rebuild will produce similar results to Sean Marks’ first. However, the current team is a stark contrast to the groups Atkinson coached from 2016 to 2019.

Brooklyn was devoid of rookie talent during those years. The Nets now feature an NBA-record five rookie first-round picks. While this is a luxury compared to their previous rebuilds, it is also an unprecedented challenge for Jordi Fernandez and his staff.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said of the difficulties of the situation in Brooklyn, “It’s hard to ask one 19-year-old boy to help another 19-year-old boy. It’s like asking a group of kids who are just learning to swim to make sure the other one doesn’t drown.” “You have to, sometimes, take a step back and give grace and be patient. They’re learning what it takes to survive in this league, which is a lot. When you have a lot of young players trying to do that, it’s hard to have the connectivity or cohesion that it can take to make some tough performances in a given game or over time. But it’s also very rewarding when you have guys with character, good young players and hard workers. Jordi [Fernandez] You have done a great job. You see the competition every night. You just have to live with it.

Mitch Johnson when asked how challenging he thinks it will be to develop five rookies for the Nets:

“It’s hard to ask one 19-year-old boy to help another 19-year-old boy. It’s like asking a group of kids learning to swim to make sure the other one doesn’t drown.” pic.twitter.com/dOFqkdPDpf

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 26 February 2026

The Nets have done their best to control the development of their rookies – Igor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Wolf. Apart from Demin, all of them have spent a long time in the G League. Each has been an encouraging addition to Brooklyn’s rotation, providing encouragement to the team’s brass.

The Nets’ 15-45 record puts them in prime position to add a star-level draft pick to their young core this summer. While draft status would remain the main story in the team’s last 22 games, Fernandez was adamant that his team would compete until the final buzzer of the season.

“The record is what it is. It is a reality, and we are well aware of it,” Fernandez said. “And at the same time, we don’t like it. Hopefully, everybody feels the same way, and that’s what our players do: They show up every day and work. It’s not pulling teeth, it’s not uncomfortable, it’s not a bad feeling. So it’s all good. Coming here and feeling like we can go against anybody should be very important. If you’re up 10, you want to be up 20. If you’re down 20, you Wanting that to be down to 10. Those things have to matter. We don’t have to flip a switch and suddenly we’ll be there.

“I like where the group is. The group cares, the coaches care, the organization cares. Finding our wins, we did it last year, we’re going to do it differently this year because it’s a different context. We really like where we are. We have a process and a plan. You can’t control everything because there are things that are [out of your control]But it is very exciting. And everyone should feel the excitement of the next step. Obviously, I want to win every single game, but to compete in these 25 and then play this summer, it’s the greatest summer of our lives.

The league-leading Detroit Pistons narrowly escaped with a 122-119 overtime win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night at Little Caesars Arena. The three-hour, 22-minute marathon featured weak leads, significant disqualifications and an awkward 18-minute delay in the third quarter when a power surge caused the arena’s scoreboard horn to sound continuously.

However, the most hilarious moment came when Kenny Atkinson was caught swearing on the touchline after a call was not favorable to his team.

“He pushed out of himself on that end, come on baby!” According to a clip on X by Bleacher Report, he was heard yelling at the referee.

The Cavs were in control with a nine-point lead with less than four minutes left on the clock. However, he allowed the Pistons to get back into the game despite Cade Cunningham fouling out about two minutes early.

The Cavs committed a costly turnover and allowed the Pistons to take the lead with 4.7 seconds on the clock with a defensive error. Guard Jaylon Tyson intentionally attempted to foul Pistons reserve Dennis Jenkins near halfcourt to block a game-tying three-point attempt.

Instead, he committed a three-shot foul, resulting in the free throw being converted and forcing overtime. The Pistons quickly took a six-point lead in OT, but the Cavaliers once again got back to within one point behind a Tyson 3-pointer and a Dennis Schroder layup.

After a successful Coach’s challenge by Detroit, Tobias Harris hit a clutch turnaround jumper with 21 seconds remaining, giving the Pistons a three-point cushion. Cleveland had one final opportunity to force double-overtime, but Mobley’s buzzer-beating 3-point attempt clinched the victory.

For the Pistons, Jalen Duren led his team by producing 33 points and 16 rebounds with Cunningham adding 25 points and 10 rebounds with seven assists.

Jarrett Allen top-scored for Cleveland, continuing his great form with 25 points and nine rebounds, missing the double-double for only the second time in the last 10 games. Evan Mobley scored 23 points while Sam Merrill also added 20 points.

Regardless, the Cavs were close to a win despite the absence of both Donovan Mitchell and James Harden and will next play the Brooklyn Nets.