Nate McMillan could be fired by the Indiana Pacers
Things are heating up in Orlando. Recent Indiana Pacers rumors indicate Nate McMillan’s job is in critical condition.
That’s a disagreeable notion, in my humble opinion. As I stated in the article linked above, it makes little sense to move on from an above-average coach who has weathered quite the storm over the last year — with things that are far from in his control — during a stretch where the league environment will be anything but stable.
Nonetheless, I’m not paid the big bucks to make the coaching decisions, I’m just here to analyze and predict. And while a coaching search would undoubtedly bring up plenty of possible names both obvious and under the radar, these three candidates feel like the most likely to gain consideration in what would undoubtedly be a wide-scoped coaching search.
Pacers head coaching candidates: Jeff Van Gundy
Alright, let’s just get this one out of the way. Jeff Van Gundy hasn’t coached since 2007, but as a commentator for the last several years he’s arguably as in the know as one needs to be to take on a head coaching role.
Even more interesting is the fact that JVG technically reported that McMillan’s job is in danger. I don’t know if that implicates him as a serious option one way or another, but it’s a thing.
According to Jeff Van Gundy on The Lowe Post “two people come up to me since I’ve been here (in Orlando) and say Nate McMillan is in trouble”
— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) August 7, 2020
Zach Lowe replies “it’s been the hottest rumor all season.”
When he’s commentating, one can often hear JVG talking about anything but the game in front of him. And if he does happen to be talking about the game, he’s often complaining, most frequently about the state of officiating.
Who knows, maybe that’s what you need in a coach — a pessimist. After all, finding flaws and aiming to improve them is important in the head coaching role, right?
That said, JVG’s complaining, to me, often comes with little depth or nuance. I’m not sure his complaints are the type to foster further success. Complaining about officiating would only result in fines like crazy. Unless JVG is doing this one pro bono, not sure it’s for him.
Spending years coaching the Knicks and Rockets, Van Gundy posts a career-long winning record. The pinnacle of his coaching experience was in year four with the New York Knicks when he led them to an Eastern Conference Championship, only to lose to the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals.
Jeff Van Gundy is one of the classics from the 90s, and him coming back to coach would be legitimately intriguing, but on the Pacers? I don’t know, I don’t really see it. As one of the most well-known coaching candidates out there, though, he’ll get consideration for just about any open role.
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.
Pacers head coaching candidates: Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson is JVG’s partner with Mike Breen when commentating ESPN games, and could be an option as the next head coach if the Pacers are looking.
The top point guard in Pacers history as head coach? The inner fan can’t possibly hate everything about the idea of this move. Does it make sense, though? That’s up for you to decide.
Jackson’s last coaching stint was with the Golden State Warriors, leading the team for three seasons. He had a winning record throughout his time in the Bay, but failed to lead the Warriors to playoff success.
Credited widely as establishing the framework of the current Warriors dynasty, Jackson had to watch the years of success for the Warriors from the sidelines, often commentating their games with ESPN, which he’s done over the last several seasons.
Jackson’s Warriors teams were extremely strong rebounding, scoring, and 3-point shooting teams, but Steve Kerr, his successor, was able to truly revolutionize the shooting of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, making the team the greatest shooting team in the league for several seasons after Jackson.
Jackson might be philosophically the best coach to lead the Pacers if they are truly choosing a replacement this summer. He likely wouldn’t push the Pacers all the way toward the “3-pointers or bust” mentality, but would nudge them in that direction ever so slightly, which might not be the worst thing.
The main problem would be that Mark Jackson’s teams were so-so defensively. Who knows how that works out in Indiana with stronger pieces on that end.
Perhaps most appealing is Jackson’s love for Pacers basketball. As a former Pacer himself, he understands the culture and won a conference title with the team. He even recently made it known that he feels it’s a travesty that the team hasn’t honored Reggie Miller with a statue outside Bankers Life Fieldhouse yet
Being able to be in that position as a point guard and a head coach should be the ultimate aspiration for someone like him.