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Indiana Pacers: Mike D’Antoni makes sense for the Indiana Pacers

By Shayler Neal

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: Head Coach Mike D'Antoni of the Houston Rockets in action during the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Houston Rockets 125-123. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: Head Coach Mike D'Antoni of the Houston Rockets in action during the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Houston Rockets 125-123. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Mike D’Antoni an option for the Indiana Pacers – Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mike D’Antoni an option for the Indiana Pacers – Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

The Indiana Pacers may want to consider Mike D’Antoni again this offseason

Well, that was quick. The Nate Bjorkgren Era felt about as long as the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards play-in game in which he might’ve coached his final game as a head coach in the NBA. Will Bjorkgren get another chance? Probably. The NBA tends to toss head coaches around like hot potatoes, and coming from the Nick Nurse coaching tree, I would not be surprised if he finds a job with another franchise soon that he can lead to some sort of postseason success.

That being said, the Indiana Pacers front office had seen enough from Bjorkgren after just one year at the helm, a year that was heavily impacted by devastating injuries from key players in the rotation. The locker room drama that hung over the team like a dark cloud for the last half of the season turned out to be very real, and is certainly a factor in this decision. But, of course, there’s a lot more to this situation.

After five straight first-round exits, the Indiana Pacers decided to move on from HC Nate McMillan just last offseason and migrate with much of the league into a more high tempo offensive-centric team while still maintaining the Pacers quintessential gritty team defense they are known for in the Eastern Conference.

According to Chris Sims at the IndyStar, in the interview process, the Indiana Pacers extensively interviewed now Minnesota Timberwolves HC Chris Finch, former Grizzlies HC Dave Joerger, and NBA great Chauncey Billups before landing on Nate Bjorkgren. They also interviewed Mike D’Antoni.

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