Hire Nate: The Pacers Hire Nate Bjorkgren as Head Coach

Bjorkgren during the Raptors' 2018-19 season. Hopefully, he can bring one (or more) to Indy.

We have now gone from Fire Nate (the Pacers former coach Nate McMillian) to Hire Nate (the Pacers new coach). What am I talking about? Yesterday, the Indiana Pacers found their new head coach in Nate Bjorkgren. I'll admit I never heard of him until his name came up briefly as a part of the Pacers coaching search after firing Nate McMillian.

He comes from under the coaching tree of Raptors' head coach Nick Nurse, with whom he has had a long working relationship with. Nurse was the assistant coach when Nate played for South Dakota in the 90s. Nate then was an assistant on Nurse's staff for the then-D-League Iowa Energy, where they won the championship in 2011-12, and he spent the last two years with Nurse on the Raptors' coaching staff, where they won the NBA championship in 2018-19 prior to being hired by the Pacers.

From what I've gathered, he's known for developing players. One article citing his assistance in the development of players like Devin Booker and current Pacer TJ Warren during his time with the Phoenix Suns. This trait is imperative regardless, but particularly in a situation like the Pacers, where they're not a major market team, so getting a "superstar" is nearly far-fetched, meaning more often than not, they will have to develop talent more than some teams.

To (Kevin) Pritchard's credit, he took his time and was thorough in his search. The process took nearly two months. He could've easily nutted up and jumped on the biggest name out there, but it seems to me he vetted the candidates thoroughly during this search.

I'll admit, he wasn't who I in mind, but he comes from a winning pedigree, and the hire has been made, so it is what it is. I'm willing to give him a shot. Like Nick Nurse in Toronto when he took the job in 2018, Nate is inheriting a team loaded with talent, they just need the right guy to help them turn the corner. Hopefully, Nate is that guy.

Welcome to Indiana, Nate Bjorkgren!