Kenny Atkinson drew sharp criticism after saying Cleveland had “analytically” won two of three East finals games even as the Cavaliers fell behind New York 3-0.
The coach argued expected-score models showed Cleveland should have been closer — or ahead — citing Game 3 as roughly a 1- or 2-point game despite the actual 121-108 loss.
Media figures and commentators quickly mocked the remark online, with several calling it tone-deaf or even fireable as the Cavs face elimination.
Cleveland is now one loss from ending its season, while the Knicks are one win from their first NBA Finals trip since 1999 and no NBA team has ever erased a 3-0 deficit.
Has Coach Atkinson's 'analytical win' claim already sealed his fate in Cleveland, regardless of tonight's outcome?
Is Cleveland's collapse bad luck, as analytics suggest, or have the Knicks simply exposed fatal flaws in their system?