Imagine knowing which NBA players would become GOATs before anyone else! Jeff Teague spills the tea on Kenny Atkinson’s incredible foresight, revealing how he predicted the rise of Stephen Curry, Giannis, and Jokic. Was he just lucky, or does Atkinson possess a crystal ball for basketball talent?
Kenny Atkinson possesses a remarkable and often overlooked talent within the competitive world of professional basketball: an uncanny ability to predict the future dominance of NBA superstars. This extraordinary foresight has been lauded by former player Jeff Teague, who vividly recounted Atkinson’s early assessments of several future league giants on his Club 520 Podcast.
Before Stephen Curry revolutionized the game and cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats, his trajectory was not universally foreseen. While his shooting prowess was undeniable upon entering the league, few anticipated the seismic shift he would bring to basketball. Atkinson, however, confidently declared Curry’s impending superstardom to Teague, who, like many others, found the claim hard to believe at the time.
As Curry began his ascent, transforming into the league’s preeminent shooter and a multi-championship winner, Teague’s skepticism gradually dissolved. Witnessing Curry’s undeniable impact and unprecedented skill development, Teague recognized the depth of Atkinson’s initial assessment, acknowledging him as a true oracle of talent within the NBA landscape. This realization solidified Atkinson’s credibility in Teague’s eyes.
Curry was not an isolated instance of Atkinson’s perceptive talent. During his tenure with the Atlanta Hawks, Atkinson expressed equally fervent praise for another burgeoning talent: Giannis Antetokounmpo. He famously told Teague that Antetokounmpo possessed the raw attributes and potential to become the NBA’s best player, a bold statement considering Giannis’s then-unpolished game.
Atkinson’s conviction stemmed from observing Antetokounmpo’s unique physical gifts and nascent skills, specifically recalling a behind-the-back dribble that signaled his future greatness. True to Atkinson’s word, Antetokounmpo has since amassed an astonishing resume, including multiple MVP awards, a Defensive Player of the Year title, and an NBA championship, solidifying his status as a generational talent.
The impressive list of Atkinson’s correct forecasts extended further, encompassing the unconventional rise of Nikola Jokic. Even when Jokic was relegated to a bench role with the Denver Nuggets, behind Jusuf Nurkic, Atkinson confidently informed Teague that the young Serbian center was unequivocally the superior player and the true cornerstone of the team.
Atkinson’s assessment of Jokic, then an overlooked prospect, proved incredibly prescient. Jokic’s subsequent transformation into a two-time MVP and NBA champion validated Atkinson’s keen eye for talent that transcended traditional scouting reports. His ability to discern such profound potential in players like Jokic underscores a unique understanding of basketball’s evolving landscape and player development.
Kenny Atkinson’s remarkable track record of identifying future NBA legends, demonstrated through his early predictions about Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic, is truly unparalleled. His prophetic insights have not only been validated by numerous MVP awards and championships but also underscore a profound understanding of the game and its players. This extraordinary foresight suggests that the Cleveland Cavaliers, where Atkinson currently serves as head coach, may be poised for significant achievements under his guidance.
