VIDEO: Kenny Atkinson is Holding up Signs on the Nets Bench Like a Damn College Football Coach
By Mark Powell
Is...is this allowed? In the final moments of Nets-Rockets, Kenny Atkinson employed an unusual tactic to get his team's attention to reveal (what we assume) is their defensive strategy for the possession. Or, ya know, maybe Atkinson just doesn't like Dennis Scott.
this is incredible Kenny Atkinson going college football defense play-calling with giant symbol cards. he wants somebody canceled. pic.twitter.com/ZYkdyZZrYF
— Sherwob Holmes (@WorldWideWob) November 2, 2019
Excuse me, Kenny?
These large graphic posters are common in college football, and are typically employed by defensive coordinators to communicate with players on the field. We've rarely seen this used in basketball, however, especially at the professional level.
Checking the Operations Manual under “conduct on the bench”. I believe that’s legal- because I don’t think it’s ever been done before for the league to put in a rule. https://t.co/BZZbBAdeU8
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) November 2, 2019
Atkinson appears to be telling his team to go into a 'no 3 D', in which the Nets hoped to avoid giving the likes of James Harden and Russell Westbrook any chance to make a three-pointer, even if they were at risk on the drive.
Expect Adam Silver to address this in the coming days. For now, it's a clever loophole by the Nets coach.