After a report came out on Friday afternoon suggesting that Atlanta Hawks coach Nate McMillan strongly considers resigning Amid a disappointing 17-18 start, the Hawks coach responded to a report ahead of the team’s game against the Lakers.
“I read the article briefly, but never spoke to the reporter.” McMillan said“I think he has written several articles in the last two weeks. I wrote a few: “As I always do, at the end of the season I talk to my family and see if that flame is still there and if it will continue next season. That’s the end of the season.” We’re all thinking about retirement, but that’s at the end of the season.
Based on that response, McMillan did not actually refute reports from The Athletic’s Shams Charania. McMillan first got the job when the team fired former head coach Lloyd Pierce midway through the 2020-21 season.
Hawks CEO Steve Coonin 929 games In Atlanta on Friday, I challenged the story, calling it “garbage journalism.” He continued, “This is a hoax. I’m literally blaming Shams. It’s just a journalistic hack. It’s a hack.”
The Hawks have struggled under McMillan despite the addition of All-Star guard Dejounte Murray in the offseason. Things got worse when Trae Young didn’t play in the game following an exchange at Shootaround, which Young skipped to get treatment for an injury. McMillan reportedly told Young that he needed to come off the bench or miss the game to skip the shootaround, and Young chose the latter. Last week, McMillan shared some of his struggles in connecting modern players and reporters.
McMillan, who was first hired as head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics in 2000, told reporters, “I play with and coach a different generation of players than I actually coached.” The methods, the way the game is played, and how they view the game are different.”
The Hawks have also undergone significant front office changes in recent weeks, forcing former general manager Travis Schlenk into an advisory role. Three other executives, senior adviser Rod Higgins, Pro Scouting director Steven Giles and vice president of player personnel Derek Pearce, have all been fired, according to Charania. And while discussions with McMillan were positive, the team ultimately failed to live up to expectations. Whether it’s now or in the future, it will depend on the head coach.
Coaching in the modern NBA is primarily about building and maintaining relationships with superstar players. If McMillan is unable to work with Young, the Hawks will have no choice but to reassess the viability of that partnership.
