The Pacers fired head coach Nate McMillan today, and sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic that McMillan’s apparent resistance to some modern offensive philosophies was a factor in that decision.
As Amick explains, McMillan is a coach with “old-school sensibilities (and) a defense-first approach” whose offense relied more on mid-range shots than three-pointers — the Pacers ranked last in the NBA this season in three-pointers per game. President of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard viewed McMillan’s offensive approach as an “inopportune fit,” according to Amick.
Taking that into account, it’s no surprise that Mike D’Antoni was the first head coaching target linked to the Pacers. Amick says he expects Indiana’s next coach to have an offense-first philosophy.
Here’s more on the Pacers:
- As Victor Oladipo enters a contract year, his situation is worth monitoring this offseason. Amick wonders if playing for an offense-first coach like D’Antoni might convince Oladipo to remain in Indiana long-term, while Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report says a number of executives around the league believe the two-time All-Star is a candidate to hit the trade block this offseason.
- Asked about his future with the Pacers this week, Oladipo said he’s not thinking about that right now and is no rush to make any decisions, per Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “I know what I need to focus on, what I need to do to make sure my knee gets stronger and better and what I need to do to get better as a person and a player,” Oladipo said. “I learned a lot from this year, and I learned a lot from this series, so I just got to continue to keep working.”
- Speaking to reporters after the Pacers’ elimination, big man Myles Turner expressed frustration with the team’s fifth consecutive first round exit, writes Bontemps. “At some point, you have to get over the hump, man,” Turner said. “Five years of being in the playoffs, five first-round exits. So me, personally, I take that s–t personally. You gotta find a way.”
- Count Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra among those who wasn’t a fan of the Pacers’ decision to fire McMillan. Spoelstra said today that McMillan’s ouster was “totally ridiculous” and was critical of the “media fake extension” that Indiana gave him earlier this month (Twitter link via Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald). That contract extension reportedly just added a team option to McMillan’s deal, rather than any guaranteed seasons.
- In an Insider article for ESPN.com, Bobby Marks previews the Pacers’ offseason, including looming decisions on Oladipo and T.J. Warren. As Marks observes, Warren will be extension-eligible, but Indiana can’t offer more than $49.3MM over three years.
Well turner how about get get more than 7 rebounds per game and score more than 14 points. Your talked about as a top center start playing like it.
They really should trade him, as I don’t think he’s a good fit with Sabonis in the frontcourt. The Celtics or Warriors seem like good fits, as he could operate as more of a small-ball center and help with spacing.
It actually makes sense to extend Oladipo if you can, as you could lock him up at a reduced price following a dismal return from his injury. Thus, if he breaks out, you have him under team control at a reduced price. It works for Oladipo as well, as he would secure a long-term plan financially if he continues to have ankle or knee problems.
Any thoughts on the future of the Pacers? I kind of need a distraction from this social justice bickering
Pacer future: Great for the RS but not the playoffs? lol
If they hire Dantoni, guards are crucial, which is good for the m. But since they might overpay over-30 Olidipo, they could offer low, maybe 3/$48, and move up and take Ball or Edwards, #6 to #2. See what Dipo has left in 20/21. But he should be good for driving anyway. I like Dipo, but what is his offer expectation?
Yeah Turner should no be talking. Warren is big decision. It’s not like he showed a lot. Oladipo you have to resign. He’s for real. He and Brogdon have not really played. You have to give that a chance.
Always liked McMillan. But every owner has a right to try and do better. They had some injuries. But always had very good yrs. if not playoff success.
Should put that dash in “re-sign” in case a skimmer like me is reading.
Yes sign him back, he was still showing good motion, decent stops.
Kvn Turner was talking like he didn’t run out of gas. But he had little help inside, was likely frustrated well before the postgame… Bitadze & Sabonis injured, and previous forwards traded.
Wow did Warren fall off. He didn’t even look right. Brogdon could not carry the team, though that is not the ideal standard IMO.
Nate McMillian could bounce back and go join the Sixers. Simmons can’t shoot threes, Embiid is best when playing down low in the block. Plus they are a good defensive team. JRich also isn’t a 3 point shooter and is a solid defender he would be good under Nate.
Turner…big hat…no cattle. He thinks he is a 3 pointer shooter and he is not. Trade him…keep Sabonis. VO drove coach change…they are trying to appease him. It won’t work. They lost him when they were going to not pay if he didn’t play. If he is that kind of punkass, then trade him too.
If oladipo is on trade block then the hawks should jump on that since he would fit nicely with Trae young, he would give the much needed back court defense.