Listing five takeaways on the Atlanta Hawks’ decision to fire Nate McMillan at the NBA All-Star Break.
On Tuesday night, the basketball world was shaken by another “Woj Bomb” from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. At 5:20 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Wojnarowski tweeted that the Atlanta Hawks had dismissed head coach Nate McMillan.
Since then, some context has been provided, like The Athletic NBA insider Shams Charania’s reports that McMillan had repeatedly asked to step down in recent weeks.
Additionally, general manager Landy Fields’ statements about the team not making enough progress provided some insight. There should be more information at Fields’ 11:00 a.m. press conference this morning. Until then, here are our five takeaways from the shocking move.
Groundhogs Day
Less than two years ago, the Atlanta Hawks were in a similar position. On March 1, 2021, Lloyd Pierce was relieved of his duties. While that move was less surprising, the circumstances were similar.
Atlanta was underperforming and had seemingly run its course with Pierce. McMillan reluctantly accepted the job as interim head coach before helping lead the young roster to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. Is another magical postseason run on the way? Doubtful, but crazier things have happened.
Trae Young Prepares for Third Coach
Not counting interim head coach Joe Prunty, Trae Young is preparing for his third coach in the NBA. It does not require a large logical leap to realize Young put his stamp of approval on the coaching shakeup. That makes two coaches Young has battled with and got fired (allegedly).
What’s not alleged is those are Basketball Hall of Fame coach-killing numbers. Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant all had 3+ rings before they played for their third non-interim head coach. (For the purpose of my argument, Jack McKinney’s 14 games and Kurt Rambis’ 37 games as Lakers coach don’t count.)
Even Latrell Sprewell thinks Young is too hard on his coaches. After Atlanta finds its third coach in as many years, it’s on Young to make it work. The roster has been designed to benefit him, and the organization has bent over backward to coddle their superstar point guard. Now it’s time to win as every other generational talent does at this point in their career.
John Collins Outlasted Nate McMillan
When McMillan took over the reins in March 2021, John Collins was playing for a new contract. Since then, Collins has survived two trade deadlines, two offseasons, and countless reports that Atlanta planned to move him. Collins, the most tenured player on the roster, is starting to look like the elder statesman of the organization.
Nate McMillan’s Legacy
Like everything else in life, McMillan’s legacy in Atlanta will be complicated. He was a wartime coach and was always at his best when the pressure was on his team. But like most older, high-ranking military officials, the veteran coach was stuck in his ways. McMillan’s greatest strength (simplicity and firmness) was also his Achilles heel.
McMillan finished with a record 99-80. Like former presidents after leaving the White House, McMillan’s popularity will steadily rise in Atlanta as time passes. Just don’t expect to see him at any Hawks-sponsored events for at least a decade.
Atlanta Hawks Future
Atlanta has overhauled the front office and coaching staff during this season. Hawks fans regularly complain about the lack of national media attention, but if these events had transpired in New York or Los Angeles, they would have been treated like the Watergate Hearings.
As for the future, Atlanta has already put forth its list of preliminary coaching candidates (highlighted by Quin Snyder). They also need to have a productive offseason that spares no expense when it comes to building a contending roster. After years of mediocrity, it will soon be time for a still very young team to make the jump or get blown up and start a new rebuild.
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