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Indiana Pacers: 6 top head coaching candidates to consider

By Corey Rausch

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: Head coach Nate McMillan and Doug McDermott #20 of the Indiana Pacers react to a call during the second half against the Miami Heat at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: Head coach Nate McMillan and Doug McDermott #20 of the Indiana Pacers react to a call during the second half against the Miami Heat at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Indiana Pacers (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Indiana Pacers (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

Mark Jackson

It has become commonplace to make fun of the Mark Jackson coaching tenure given the way the Golden State Warriors took off after he left but the success was there for Jackson. The team tanked the latter stretches of his first season in an effort to keep their top-seven protected pick before winning 47 games and 51 games in his next two seasons.

In his second season with the team they made it to the second round of the playoffs and ranked seventh in points per game (101.2), 13th in 3-point attempts (19.9), 12th in offensive rating (105.1) and 12th in defensive rating (104.2). His offensive rating would improve the next season and his defensive rating would skyrocket to third in the league. They averaged 104.3 points per game while attempting 24.8 3-pointers per game.

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These numbers would rank about where Nate McMillan’s offense ranked this season and Jackson had two of the best shooters of all time but Jackson was ahead of his time in this regard and embraced the strengths of his players.

Jackson spent six seasons as a player in Indiana, one of which he led the league in assists. Top tier players, including Stephen Curry and LeBron James, put their name on how good of a coach he is. If he is going to get another shot, coming home to Indiana makes sense.

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