Kenny Atkinson leans on Steven Vogt, Guardians amid ‘dip’

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson he doesn’t have to look far for advice with his own team goes through the wringer. Before Friday night’s 136-125 loss to the Chicago Bulls, the third in a row and fourth in the last five games for the Wine and Gold, Atkinson said he got in touch with Stephen Vogt through text and articles Cleveland Guardians to get their perspective on handling the long season.

“I think they’ve had two streaks where they’ve lost 10 straight,” Atkinson said. “I know baseball has a bunch of games, but I was like, ‘How did you keep it together?’ This is just part of professional sports. It’s hard to win in professional sports. When we go through a slump, you have to fix it. You have to trust your group. I don’t think there’s ever a point where you say, ‘Forget it, this is a disaster.’

The Guardians, of course, were treading water in the American League Central division and trailing the Detroit Tigers by a whopping 15.5 games in July. Going 20-7 in September, Cleveland rallied to win the Central and punch its ticket to the MLB playoffs.

“I have a great relationship with them. I text with (Cleveland Browns head coach) (Kevin) Stefanski (also). We live in the same world. We go through a lot of the same things, so I like interacting with them. They’ve been in our facility. We’re in their facility. We exchange ideas. I love that part of the job.”

Atkinson said even when the Cavs were 15-0 just a year ago, he was concerned and he was appropriate fear of any opponent. He emphasizes the need to double down on processes in the group, especially since coaches and players have had success in the past.

“Well, I don’t want to lose 20 in a row or 10 in a row,” Atkinson joked. “But it just gives you (perspective). We live in this world where it’s not easy. Everyone in professional sports is so good, and the organizations are really good. I call it ‘failing.'” You have to control the fall. It’s really important.

“Very rarely does (a season) just go (on an upward trajectory). Maybe OKC this year; that’s one team in this league. Maybe Houston, I guess. Two, three teams that are maybe really there right now. Everybody else, we go through ups and downs; kind of normal in an NBA season.”

The The Cavs are now 15-14 with games against the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans next in a row, followed by a Christmas Day game on the road against the New York Knicks.