Nate McMillan: I’ve Grown Along With Young Players

Following his remarkable ascension to head coach, the Atlanta Hawks are hiring former assistant to Lloyd Pierce, Nate McMillan, permanently.

After a 14-20 start to the season, the Atlanta Hawks let Pierce go. Nate McMillan took over as the interim head coach with Atlanta in 11th place in the East.

Under Nate McMillan, the Hawks finished in 5th place in the Eastern Conference with a 27-11 end to the year.

What followed was an unlikely postseason charge including wins over the higher-seeded Knicks and 76ers. Atlanta even pushed the Milwaukee Bucks to 6 games before bowing out.

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Despite having 16 years experience as a head coach, Nate McMillan had never been to a conference finals before. He did so this year with the kind of young roster he hasn’t always had the chance to work with.

“Yes, I’ve become a lot more patient than I’ve been,” McMillan said. “I’ve had a few friends and a few people say, ‘Old School Nate would have done this or done that or would have responded or reacted in this way.’

“I’ve been patient. I’ve grown for myself tremendously with this group. And I say that because I’ve allowed these guys to be themselves. Sometimes you try to create a culture and it’s kind of your way or the highway.

“This season it was more adapting to the players and how they learn and different ways to keep them motivated and lifted. So I’ve become a lot more patient with players, with the game, with myself. I enjoyed it. I really enjoyed it this season.”

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McMillan’s permanent contract is for four years. 

“We’re just drawing up the contract,” GM Travis Schlenk said.

“We’ve now worked together for four months. We’ve had a good working relationship, and I’m excited he’s going to be our head coach moving forward.”