Smith: Please stop comparing Nate to Nate
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — It’s only natural for fans to make comparisons in sports and overreact to the present moment. Being isolated for much of the past year probably hasn’t helped that cause. Some fans were even upset that the Pacers went 0-3 in the preseason, or that Goga Bitadze looked bad in one game. And now- many fans have already started comparing Nate Bjorkgren to Nate McMillan.
Let’s make one thing perfectly clear: You cannot compare old Nate to new Nate based off of standings alone. I’ve already seen countless tweets talking about the Pacers 12-11 record being worse than previous teams led by McMillan. It just doesn’t work that way.
The Eastern Conference is a different animal this year. Before this season started, myself and many other members of the Pacers Media agreed: Indiana could have a worse record than last season, but still be a better team. One peak at the Eastern Conference standings shows you the depth it possesses. Those 11 Pacer losses still put them just a few games behind the No. 2-seed in the East.
And I know Pacer fans are tired of this excuse- but you have to also consider the injuries. Nate McMillan clearly dealt with major injuries in his tenure here, and that was one thing he did extremely well. But not only did Nate Bjorkgren lose TJ Warren, he also lost his starting 2-guard. Having even ONE of Victor Oladipo, Caris LeVert, or TJ Warren, and Bjorkgren probably has a better record to this point.
You also have to look at player performance and development. Outside of Aaron Holiday, can you honestly say ANY player looked better under McMillan compared to Bjorkgren? One thing that is also clear: These players love their new coach.
“I’m going to continue to say this during the season and make sure people understand just how well-coached we are,” Malcolm Brogdon said recently. “How he puts everybody in position to play their game and show their strengths, it’s great.”
Has Bjorkgren been perfect? Far from it. I haven’t agreed with the heavy minutes for the starters, the over-playing on defense, and a handful of other decisions that he’s made. But he’s a first-year coach. He doesn’t have two starters. And let’s not forget the main three reasons he was hired. The Pacers wanted a better communicator, a more modern offense, and more success in the playoffs. He’s got the first two down, and it won’t be hard to surpass McMillan’s playoff “success” when the time comes. Let’s hold off on the “McMillan was better” takes until playoff time.
You may look at the Pacers and only see 12-11. I look at the Pacers and see players developing and the beginning stages of a dangerous team forming. This group could be special by late March or early April. And even if it takes a year or so for this team to truly take off, the Pacers are in good hands with this roster, and Nate Bjorkgren in charge.
