LeVert, former Nets react to Atkinson leaving team

In the wake of Kenny Atkinson being dismissed as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets Saturday morning, some of the players he coached over the past three-plus seasons chimed in on the team's somewhat surprising decision.

Fresh off his first career triple-double in the Nets' 139-120 win over the Spurs Friday night, Caris LeVert reflected on how Atkinson has impacted his career in an Instagram post.

"Appreciate everything u did for my family and I," he wrote. "Kept it real with me since the day I met you. Much love."

Nets forward Joe Harris said he found the move shocking.

"For the guys that have been here for the last few years with him, you're upset, you learned a lot," Harris told reporters Saturday.

"But you're grateful for the time, and the opportunity that you had with him. We all loved playing for Kenny," he added.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley, who played under Atkinson during the 2018-19 season, was taken aback upon learning of the news.

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard D'Angelo Russell later responded to Dudley's post, appearing to be slightly irritated. The 2015 second overall pick played for Atkinson during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns.

Houston Rockets forward DeMarre Carroll, also a former Nets player, was left searching for answers.