Atlanta Hawks: Nate McMillan’s case is getting stronger to be next head coach
The Atlanta Hawks have still not officially replaced Lloyd Pierce who they sacked two games prior to the All-Star break. They have no need at the moment as interim coach Nate McMillan has the club rolling with the potential of qualifying directly for the playoffs.
After he took over, McMillan guided the Hawks to an 8-0 win streak which would end up with him winning coach of the month for March. With four games left in the season, McMillan has a 23-11 record since he took over.
This is made up of 10-9 on the road and 13-2 at home. He is preaching structure and systems to the team and they are responding really well. He has had his issues with injuries but has led the team through it to have them sitting in fifth in the Eastern Conference.
The Atlanta Hawks have surely found their man.
More from Soaring Down South
- Start, Bench, Cut: Sorting through the Hawks’ power forward options
- Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic reacts to earning FIBA World Cup championship bid
- When does training camp start for the Atlanta Hawks?
- Grade the trade: Hawks deal Trae Young to Clippers in shocking proposal
- Dejounte Murray rips NBA 2K after Atlanta Hawks ratings reveal
The Hawks are one of the hottest teams in the NBA and a lot of the credit has to go to McMillan. He seems to have the support of his players, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Danilo Gallinari have come back to their best under McMillan
Then, Trae Young, in a recent podcast with Woj stated that he wanted McMillan to stay on as head coach. When the future of the franchise is saying that he wants the coach to stay, surely the front office has to listen.
While Young is not the king-maker, he was not a big fan of Pierce. The ex-coach did not help this situation by making comments which upset Young. McMillan does not comment in any way that will upset his team, he is all business, all the time.
If McMillan can help guide this team through one or two rounds of the playoffs, they may be a chance of keeping John Collins for less money. This is the power of a head coach who knows his players and puts them in situations to win, which is what any player in the league wants to do.