Smith: The Pacers need an offensive-minded assistant coach
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
In a world full of hot-takes and overreactions, I have always tried to be a voice of perspective. My body of work over the last seven years and beyond has followed this formula: I try to look at both sides of an argument, and find the truth in each before formulating my own opinion. I have done the same thing when it comes to Pacers Head Coach Nate McMillan.
Back in January, I wrote that McMillan deserved a ton of credit for what he’s accomplished in Indiana. I still believe every word of that column. McMillan has done very admirable work considering the injuries and roster turnover. Overall, his players seem to like him… or at least have expressed as much. It’s no small task to win 48-50 games with nowhere near the roster you expected.
At the same time, you can’t ignore the harsh reality. Nate McMillan is just 17-35 all-time in the playoffs. This guy is in the top-25 ALL-TIME in coaching wins in NBA history. And he has SEVENTEEN post-season victories.Clearly, it hasn’t been all his fault. I’m not even sure you can fully blame McMillan for any of the first-round exits the Pacers have had since he’s been here. He took the Eastern Conference Champion Cavs to a 7th game. Last year, Indy didn’t have Oladipo. This year, no Sabonis. And he also didn’t have Brandon Roy in a few of those series’ losses in Portland. Bad luck has absolutely contributed to McMillan’s playoff failures. But again.. he’s been around an awful long time to think bad luck is the only story here.
The adjustments are often non-existent, or not enough. The offense is predictable and lacks creativity. The rotations are often head-scratching. Is McMillan just a good floor-raiser with no chance of reaching the ceiling?
Here’s what I want to see happen this off-season: I want to see Kevin Pritchard and the Pacers bring in an offensive-minded assistant coach. Since McMillan got the one-year extension at an odd time, the least the Pacers can do is bring in somebody that knows offense. Despite having loads of talent, here’s where the Pacers ranked this year in terms of offense:
•23rd in points per game
•Dead last in 3-point attempts
•Dead last in Free-throw attempts
•19th in Offensive rating
•12th in Assist-Turnover ratio
The best leaders in life recognize their weaknesses, and they surround themselves with others who will pick up the slack in those areas. Next year’s Pacers team will have a chance to do special things, but they can’t rely only on good health. They need a more creative offense. They need to stop being so predictable. They need to play a more modern game while still doing the things they are good at.
I know Kevin Pritchard reads #PacersTwitter from time to time. Maybe the fan base should rally around this cause. McMillan is going to be here. And if the Sarge is still in charge, he needs an assistant that knows offense. Otherwise, the Pacers will remain in the “good but not great” category. Next year’s roster and this fan base deserves better. At the very least, will this change be made?
