Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson says he felt depressed after LeBron James chose to join the Philadelphia 76ers instead of returning to Cleveland. Several outlets report Atkinson describes the reaction as personal and emotional, reflecting the disappointment of missing out on a reunion that many expected.
The coverage frames the story both as an admission by Atkinson and as a wider reaction to James’ free agency decision. Yahoo Sports emphasizes the expectation that James might end his career with the Cavaliers, while Newsweek spotlights Atkinson’s candid comments and the feeling of being “snubbed.” NDTV adds that Philadelphia follows the decision quickly, erasing a 29-point deficit to win in James’ home debut—an outcome that shapes the story’s context around the immediate aftermath.
One outlet also highlights fan commentary. Yahoo Sports includes details about supporters reacting with mockery to Atkinson’s use of “depressed,” contrasting online tone with the coach’s reported candidness. Across sources, the central point remains Atkinson’s statement about feeling depressed after James picked Philadelphia.
