Former Trailblazers head coach Nate McMillan who was fired today amid reports of a player mutiny.
Former Trailblazers head coach Nate McMillan who was fired today amid reports of a player mutiny. REUTERS

KEY POINTS

  • The Atlanta Hawks ride on a wave of momentum after Game 4 win
  • Nate McMillan was named interim head coach after the Lloyd Pierce firing
  • McMillan's coaching proves to be the key factor in their playoff run

In one of the hottest happenings this postseason, the Atlanta Hawks are giving the Philadelphia 76ers a run for their money.

No one could have seen this coming early in the regular season when they made moves to acquire players such as Danilo Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanovic in the offseason.

The Hawks were also able to acquire Clint Capela from the Houston Rockets prior to the trade deadline last season.

For all of the talent that the front office has acquired and the superstar potential of Trae Young, they were in need of a coach to tie it all together.

Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks Getty Images | Maddie Meyer

Lloyd Pierce was at the helm for the past two years and allowed both Young and John Collins to find their footing in the league.

But after a 14-20 start to the 2020-2021 NBA season, general manager Travis Schlenk thought it best to fire Pierce as they looked to position themselves for a postseason run.

Nate McMillan, who was signed in the offseason to help Pierce gain more experience to coach the team, was then named interim head coach.

McMillan is more than perfect for the job.

Starting his coaching career with Seattle Supersonics in the 2000-2001 season, McMillan became a household name thanks to his time with the Portland Trailblazers led by Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Despite his lack of playoff success, he’s been able to find a home in the NBA. His teams are known for playing tough on both ends and very well-disciplined in the face of adversity.

Since taking over the reins from Pierce, McMillan led the Hawks to a 27-11 record, finishing first in the Southeast Division and a fifth seed in the playoffs.

The Hawks were able to secure a trip to the conference semi-finals after a 4-1 win over the New York Knicks and Coach of the Year awardee Tom Thibodeau.

Prior to the series with the Hawks, the 76ers were heavily favored to pull out the series win easily, but “Ice Trae” has decided to put a stop to those plans after tying the series to two games apiece after a come-from-behind victory in Game 4.

McMillan has proven to be a difference-maker for the young team, and if they keep riding this wave of momentum, they could pull off another upset en route to a conference finals appearance.

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