ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith issued a blunt message on May 25, 2026, telling Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson that his recent, “strange” boast about analytics could cost him his job.
Smith’s warning came after Atkinson publicly highlighted the team’s use of data in a way the commentator viewed as overconfident. Calling the remark “bizarre,” Smith said the Cavaliers’ front office might hand Atkinson a “pink slip” if on-court results fail to match the coach’s bravado.
Atkinson, who took over the Cavaliers this season, has not publicly responded to Smith’s comments.
Source: New York Post
