https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2020/08/26/insider-firing-nate-mcmillan-means-pacers-attempting-modernize/3441766001/Here's the article Wizop references:
And Brogdon, league sources with direct knowledge of the situation tell IndyStar, was the most outspoken and unhappy player among a core group of four with an isolation-heavy offense that couldn’t win a game in a 4 vs. 5 matchup for the second year in a row.
McMillan proved inflexible, unwilling to do things anyway other than his way, and it cost him:
>> “Modernize” the offense: This means taking better advantage of 3-point shooters such as Doug McDermott, free agent Justin Holiday (should he remain), Victor Oladipo, Myles Turner, Brogdon, Aaron Holiday and T.J. Warren. They ranked last in the league in attempts during the regular season. They don't want the isolation plays that led to contested shots.
>> Adjusting on defense: As good as they've been, Justin Holiday was asked about the guards having to expend so much energy chasing shooters such as Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson and Goran Dragic around screens instead of switching to stop the looks. The Heat cooked them from the arc and the Pacers’ guards were all gassed, especially Oladipo, on the other end because of the strategy. The Pacers changed this by Game 4 but it was too late.
What this means going forward for Oladipo is unclear, but the Pacers are expected to be aggressive in the offseason in redesigning themselves with how they look and how they play.
Though they've tried to work out a deal with Oladipo on an extension, everything appears to be on the table. Exit meetings with players aren't complete.
No decision has been made on what will happen with McMillan's assistants Dan Burke, Popeye Jones and Bill Bayno.
I would imagine that, as in the past, only Burke would be a consideration to stay on. He's been Mr. Pacer on the bench for over 20 years now.
