Kenny Atkinson’s walk to the Nets’ bench Tuesday night will be different than the previous 36 times he’s done so this season.
On the opposing Barclay Center sideline Atkinson will see his former mentor Mike Budenholzer and the familiar red, white and yellow Hawks insignia. He’ll see the seat he sat in for four years as an assistant coach, and the memories of wins and four trips to the playoffs will rush to his head.
Then, the ball will be tipped and the focus will turn to doing the same in Brooklyn.
“It will be strange,” Atkinson admitted.