Indiana Pacers: 3 early head coach candidates if Nate McMillan is fired
By Josh Wilson
Pacers head coaching candidates: Kenny Atkinson
The Pacers offering Kenny Atkinson a job would be a strange way to close the circle of the Nate McMillan era. Firing one coach who doesn’t deserve to be fired and bringing in another coach who shouldn’t have been fired this year would be… something.
Kenny Atkinson worked hard since 2017 in Brooklyn establishing a strong culture centered on player development. Alongside Sean Marks as GM, Atkinson implemented an organization that was player-first.
Easy for players to buy in, many excelled beyond expectations in Brooklyn. Most of all would probably be D’Angelo Russell, who now plays alongside Karl-Anthony Towns on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Nets culture probably advanced a bit too quickly, as they were able to attract the likes of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the 2019 offseason as free agents. Those two star players take precedence over a coach’s desires, and though it’s not reported, it’s likely that if they wanted Atkinson to be the coach, he still would be.
How would he fit? It depends on how willing the organization is to let him implement his system. Atkinson employed 3-point attempt heavy offenses in Brooklyn which doesn’t jive with what the Pacers do currently.
More of a modern coach, his team was fast-paced. They gave up a lot of points, but they scored plenty, too. He’s a coach that could probably unleash the capabilities of Victor Oladipo, but might not be able to properly utilize the defensive capabilities of the Pacers roster.
It would be an awkward fit, but Atkinson is a must-interview as one of the top coaches on the market who suddenly was booted from his role in Brooklyn.