The Cavs leap under Kenny Atkinson deserves COTY

Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Can you lose Coach of the Year when you are outperforming your competition with his former employer?

The Kenny Atkinson hire had built-in expectations going into the season. In taking over a Cleveland Cavaliers team previously run by J.B. Bickerstaff, there were boxes to check for what would deem a successful season.

The first objective was to elevate the offensive play of now fourth-year big man Evan Mobley. Since Mobley was drafted, the comparisons...