More than one player has been impressed that Kenny Atkinson actually takes part in practice. More than one player has noted how genuine he is.
That’s not just something nice to say about the boss. In the age of player empowerment, as John Schuhmann writes Friday, it’s increasingly important for a head coach to respect his players if not as equals, as partners.
“You have to collaborate with your best players and guys that have been in the league a while,” Atkinson told Schuhmann. “I want that input. I want that collaboration. But I also want to make sure that we make the right decision when we tweak something or change something.