[OneBigBucketHeadParticipant]

Nate is a terrible coach. This team has talent but looks so lost. It is 100% on the coaching staff. If you can’t get them to play smarter, harder and the fundamentals of the game you are failing at your job. It’s going to be a very long and frustrating season. When stars like George get frustrated they usually forget about their loyalty to a small market and jump ship. I think hiring Nate was a colossal mistake.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I don’t think you can put 100% of the blame on Nate McMillian. This team is an abomination defensively right now. They’re the worst defensive team in the league at the moment. The defense is led by Dan Burke, who’s been leading the defense for several years. He didn’t just forget how to coach defense. It’s the same system. However, not even Burke can fix the issues with this team defensively. 

– A Jeff Teague and Monta Ellis backcourt is too small. Last season, Monta could guard point guards and George Hill could guard two’s due to his length/reach. McMillian started CJ Miles over Ellis last game. That’ll give the starting lineup more spacing, but despite his size, it’s not like Miles is a good defender. 

– Teague has really struggled defending guards using ball screens. He said with the Hawks, they trapped ball screens, so he’s still adjusting to the way the Pacers defend them. He needs to adjust quick because he’s getting killed. 

– They don’t communicate well defensively. That’s what happens when you lose guys like Roy Hibbert, David West, George Hill and Ian Mahinmi. Those guys were MAJOR communicators at the defensive end. Not afraid or too shy to speak UP! Now, this team has no voice. They’re quiet. Especially Teague. He needs to get out of his comfort zone. I thought Paul George would take over as the voice this season, but I was wrong. 

– Al Jefferson is terrible defensively in just about every way. 

Then due to Larry Bird overhauling the roster and going small, this team is getting hammered on the boards. Last night, they couldn’t secure a rebound. They’ve gotten outrebounded almost every game. Bird isn’t blame free. He built the roster. 

It’s still early though. I don’t think Bird is done making moves. This team needs a shot blocker off of the bench. They need a bigger two guard who can shoot and defend. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[festar35Participant]

I like that we moved CJ into the starting line-up, but as you said not as though he is a great defender either.

I really want to see Indiana go back to having to big men on the floor at all times. I am looking around the league if I’m Bird to see if I can’t make a package out of Ellis, Stuckey or Miles (probably net the best return) and some of young guys for a big PF or C to go next to Turner who I think will be successful at either spot.
(Not sure who is available WCS, Tyson Chandler has that leadership quality,)

I would have Teague, George, Young, Turner and whoever as my starting squad and that is still a more effective team offensively than Indiana has fielded recently with some incredible length to go with it.
Even though Young and Turner aren’t great 3-pt shooters they can stretch the floor enough to create space.

[HitsterParticipant]

 Nate was always considered a coach who wanted high character guys the same as Pacers GM Kevin Pritchard who he worked with at the Blazers. Likewise Larry Bird has always seemed to be of the same mindset and I’d imagine Donnie Walsh would be too.

KP was the sort of GM who used to be very active on draft day and is the sort of guy I’d back to sort the roster out with Larry Bird.

On paper I thought the Pacers had a very good off season with some nice moves but the backcourt does look small and is a defensive liability. I wonder if Monta is more a 6th man now who could score in bursts against 2nd strings. I agree that Tyson Chandler would be a good pick up if the Suns would let him go and he is on a very reasonable deal.

 

 

[DondiJohnParticipant]

The loss of these guys really hurt them, Im not disrespecting Myles Turner, he’s doing a great job in blocking shots. But there’s alot to know in defense rather than blocks. 

[mcbaileyParticipant]

 I put most of the blame on Bird. He’s been trying to hammer a square peg into a round hole with this smaller lineup stuff. I know he’s a legend and has forgotten more about basketball than I’ll ever know, but I feel like he’s made all of these changes without understanding why the concept works. 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 Nate is solid quit hatin

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