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WeThe2019Champs wrote:Might hire former Portland coach??

ATLTimekeeper wrote:Couldn't even get a "decided to part ways."

Bjorkgren replaced Nate McMillan, who was fired following his fourth consecutive first-round playoff exit despite being a No. 4 seed.

The Pacers finished ninth under Bjorkgren, who was supposed to be the opposite of the hard-edged McMillan. But Bjorkgren rubbed too many people around the organization the wrong way, especially his players, with defensive schemes that were too aggressive for their personnel.

Aside from being a micro-manager, Bjorkgren was resistant to change and input from his staff, which grew frustrated, too. That snowballed in a May 5 home loss to the Sacramento Kings as Goga Bitadze shouted down assistant coach Greg Foster in an on-court verbal altercation. Foster was suspended for one game. Bitadze was fined by the team.

A search is already underway by president Kevin Pritchard, but given the Pacers were in this position just nine months ago means they're not starting from scratch.

They didn't want to go with a "retread" before hiring Bjorkgren, taking a risk on the 45-year-old who'd been a league assistant for just four seasons.

The Pacers took a swing. They missed.

The 2021-22 season for Bjorkgren is guaranteed so owner Herb Simon will have to pay two coaches.

Mr.Raptorsingh wrote:Nicholas 'bout to get his lead assistant back to replace Finch.

libertyYYZ wrote:

Mr.Raptorsingh wrote:Nicholas 'bout to get his lead assistant back to replace Finch.

Would like this to happen since he and Nurse worked so well together.

I wonder though if the Raptors keep going back to internal growth and letting the natural evolution of internal leadership to continue. If Nate comes back, then somebody with talent looking to step up gets set back and starts to look outside. This version of the Raptors since Leiwicke arrived hasn't really pulled people back and focuses on organizational growth. Nate will land another job, probably not with us.

RapsFan008 wrote:Well the silver lining is he had another guaranteed year of salary even when canned, but hurts his rep when you get fired in the first year.

I'm interested in seeing what a healthy Pacers team would look like. Some people are high on them thinking they're a top 4 seed, but I'm not totally convinced.

I think a healthy Boston and Miami team should be better than them. Atlanta is probably better. If we get a decent C, we may be better.

TheBoi10 wrote:Embarrassing ordeal for Bjork, Indy AND Nurse along w/ the Raps

TheBoi10 wrote:Embarrassing ordeal for Bjork, Indy AND Nurse along w/ the Raps

Skeezo wrote:I would be shocked to see Nate return to the Raptors... Sure, its the easy thing to do, but it wouldn't look good if he returns to a place where he is safe if he actually wants another crack at a HC gig in the future... I see him being a lead assistant somewhere else in hope of getting another HC and organization singing his praises.

Boogie! wrote:It's interesting how they note defensive schemes too aggressive for their personnel... Sounds like he was trying to bring nurses defense over to Indiana... Why would anyone have a problem with it there when no one has a problem with it here? I get personnel has something to do with it, but why can't the players buy in?

Its interesting because a team like Miami is known as no nonsense, their way or the highway, but they get praised for that culture, but for some reason bjorkgren is too inflexible and difficult? So he's not allowed to instill culture with the team and organization? Idk.

Johnny Bball wrote:They should fire Pritchard while they are at it. He can't possibly wash his hands of this and not take a significant amount of the blame.