INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers have fired Nate McMillan after four seasons as their head coach. In an official statement, President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard had this to say,
“On behalf of the Simon family and the Pacers organization, I’d like to thank Nate for his years with the team. This was a very hard decision for us to make; but we feel it’s in the best interest of the organization to move in a different direction. Nate and I have been through the good times and the bad times; and it was an honor to work with him for those 11 years (in Indiana and Portland).”
In four seasons as head coach Nate was 183-136. However, he was 3-16 in the postseason.
Let’s keep it real or all the way 100, whichever comes 1st! Just like I asked the question when Frank Vogel was let go. Who are you going to get to do any better? It’s Indiana for crying out loud!!! It’s a middle of the road franchise (in terms of talent) that can’t attract superstar free agents. In order to win big in the NBA you’ve got to have superstar free agents.
In Indiana you’ve got to build through the draft and or trades and they have to pay off quickly. Otherwise, cats that build a name and value on the open market will bounce like we saw Paul George do.
There aren’t very many Reggie Miller’s that will come along in the draft and stay their entire careers. That day and age is over. Nate, in my opinion, did a helluva job with what he had.
He entered the playoffs with a recovering Victor Oladipo, no Jeremy Lamb nor Domantas Sabonis. He was getting the most out of what he had. The man did a heck of a job of competing night in and night out.
Again, who are you going to get to win any more than he’s already won in Indiana? Getting rid of Frank Vogel didn’t change a thing. Getting rid of Nate won’t change anything either.
They’ll always be a fourth or fifth seed in the East and get bounced in the first round or second round. Frank Vogel overachieved and got to the Eastern Conference Finals several times and still got fired. Help me understand. Stop me when I start lyin’!