Hoops Habit
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next
Indiana Pacers (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Indiana Pacers (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Mike D’Antoni

When it comes to offensive evolution there is a reason that Mike D’Antoni is at the top of the list for the Pacers should the Houston Rockets choose to let him go. D’Antoni is one of the greatest offensive minds the league has ever seen, revolutionizing offense with the Phoenix Suns and then doing so again with the Houston Rockets.

In his first season with the team, the Rockets were second in offensive rating and third in pace. Since then they have finished first, second and sixth in offensive rating. They have shot the most 3-point shots per game in each season he has been there, escalating from 38.5 per game in his first season to 45.3 per game this season.

For those saying the personnel would need to drastically change to the D’Antoni system are both right and wrong. Certainly, he would not have a need for both Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner, but that was a trade on the horizon anyway. Considering the number of replacement-level players he has turned into reliable shooters it is impossible to downplay the impact he could have.

Look no further than the resurrections of Jeff Green and Ben McLemore this season to see what he can do. They were not Mike D’Antoni types until they were. He would have a transformative effect on this roster. If the front office could combine the defensive fundamentals of the players left with a solid defensive assistant coach it could be an instant success.

Moving on from Nate McMillan after another solid season shows that the team is no longer okay with being average and an early exit. Making a bold move like turning the reigns over to D’Antoni would be the exact opposite of average.

Next. 25 best players to play for the Indiana Pacers. dark

Home/Indiana Pacers