Indiana Pacers: Was hiring Nate Bjorkgren a mistake?

The Indiana Pacers had lofty ideas for new head coach Nate Bjorkgren when he arrived in the Circle City. However, though the season still isn’t over, things have already gone awry between him and the Pacers brass, with Bjorkgren reportedly on the hot seat as the team continues to tread high water in another tough, injury-marred season.

Standing at 9th in the Eastern Conference and just hanging by a thread to secure a play-in spot, this campaign has been a flat-out disappointment. Playoffs or not, the Pacers certainly don’t have the guns and the healthy bodies to compete with the much-improved teams in the East, more so with the heavyweights jockeying for conference supremacy.

The Indiana Pacers have not thrived under new coach Nate Bjorkgren

Bjorkgren’s championship experience from Toronto and shifty tactics were supposed to hoist the Indiana Pacers over the top, especially with the franchise ensnared in five straight first-round exits in the postseason. Unfortunately, the team is not even a shoe-in for the playoffs, lying outside the playoff picture for most of the season despite a steady start.

Even at 30-34, this team should not be on the outside looking in. With a great amount of talent in all positions, as well as depth and experience, the Pacers are, at least in theory, much more competitive that what their record entails.

With that being said, was hiring Nate Bjorkgren a mistake?