Nate McMillan, Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have managed to make the playoffs during each of the four seasons of Nate McMillan’s tenure as head coach. However, they have yet to win a playoff series and it would be fair to raise concerns regarding his future in this role if they are sent home early yet again.

In terms of potential matchups in the first round, the Pacers will almost certainly end up facing either the Miami Heat or Boston Celtics. There is little reason to believe Indiana should be too overmatched to pull off a series win with the right coaching job.

That isn’t to say the Pacers should be favored in either of those potential matchups, but in both matchups, coaching is considered a real disadvantage for the Pacers. There is enough talent on Indiana’s roster for an effective coaching performance

There previously could have been some cushion to potential criticism for McMillan had the season not been suspended. Between Malcolm Brogdon’s hip injury potentially limiting him come playoff time and Victor Oladipo still being shortly removed from his return, neither is the case now.