The National Basketball Coaches Association has named Atkinson as the recipient of the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award, honoring a stellar first season at the helm in Cleveland. Voted on by the league’s 30 head coaches, the award is often a preview of who will be named the NBA’s official Coach of the Year. And if history holds, Atkinson might want to clear space on the mantle. “Kenny Atkinson has long been respected by his peers as an innovative and humble servant to the game,” said NBCA President Rick Carlisle. “Congratulations to Kenny on a historic season along with this prestigious recognition by his peers.” Not bad for a guy who inherited a Cavaliers team that seemed stuck in neutral. All Atkinson did was turn a middling offense into the league’s best, guide the Cavs to 64 wins, and lock up the No. 1 seed in the East. It was the franchise’s second-best regular season ever, behind only the 2008-09 LeBron James-led squad that won 66. “I’m also grateful to our assistant coaches and support staff, whose tireless work ethic allows me to coach to my highest potential,” Atkinson said in a statement. “Individual accolades are special, but I must give a ton of credit to Koby Altman for assembling the collection of talent we have in Cleveland. A special thank you as well to Dan Gilbert for consistently providing incredible resources and assistance in our chase for NBA Championships.” Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault won the award last year. Mike Brown and Monty Williams the two years before that. All three went on to win NBA Coach of the Year. At this rate, Atkinson might be next.