What’s next for Bjorkgren and the Indiana Pacers
With the Indiana Pacers most likely ending up with a losing record and probably being a mere stepping stone for the higher seeds in the East at best if they qualify for the postseason, the future of coach Nate Bjorkgren is looking bleaker as the team continues to rack up losses. And with a reported less than ideal relationship with key players in the locker room, preventing a looming exit may be difficult.
Bjorkgren has work to do on relationships with key players in his locker room, sources tell ESPN, and has thus far shown a willingness within the organization to try to address those issues. https://t.co/uNeOdHMlnQ
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 5, 2021
In the spirit of comparison, Nate McMillan’s success with the Atlanta Hawks this season is making the front office’s decision to let him go as too sudden and a wasted opportunity to build on the team’s continuity, but moving forward is never retroactive. Thus, the Pacers can only afford to go on and avoid looking back.
Ultimately though, and given their long avoidance for big changes, the front office may still end up looking at this debacle as a mere aberration. However, doing so will mean that the franchise is satisfied with mere band-aid solutions in a blind pursuit of championship contention, which is not imminent for this team at all.
By all means and circumstances, the first season of Nate Bjorkgren manning the Indiana Pacers will count as a failure. And with this coaching hire not exuding positive spirits for the franchise and its fanbase, as well as the rapid rise of its competitors in the East, the team will be better taking bigger and bolder measures, be it in the form of replacing him, or being more active than usual in the offseason.