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NBA. Indiana Pacers name Nate Bjorkgren as new coach

AFP

The Angels / 20.10.2020 15:36:28

The Indiana Pacers announced Tuesday the election as new coach of Nate bjorkgren, who will make his NBA debut as head coach after two seasons as Nick Nurse’s assistant with the Toronto Raptors.

We are very happy and excited to have Nate as our new coach.“Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said in a statement.

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Indiana fired his coach Nate McMillan in late August after being eliminated by the Miami Heat in the first round of playoffs 4-0. The decision came as a surprise in the NBA as the team had renewed McMillan’s contract just two weeks earlier.

From the beginning of the selection process, the Pacers were looking for a young and innovative manager profile. Bjorkgren is a disciple of Nick Nurse, recognized as the Best Coach of this season, with whom he managed to lead the Raptors to the title of NBA champions in 2019.

“This was an extensive and thorough search, and when we reached a conclusion, we felt strongly that Nate is the right coach for us at the right time,” Pritchard said. “Comes from a winning environmentHe’s experienced success, he’s innovative, and his communication skills along with his positive thinking are tremendous. “

I am honored to assume the role of head coach of the Pacers“Bjorkgren, 45, said from his side.” It’s something I’ve prepared myself for during my career … I’m looking forward to working with this great team to achieve our goal of being NBA champions. “

Before being his assistant at the Raptors, Bjorkgren had already worked alongside Nick Nurse between 2007 and 2011 on the Iowa Energy team, with which they were proclaimed champions of the NBA affiliate G-League in 2011.

“I want to thank Nick Nurse for giving me my first professional coaching job 14 years ago“Bjorkgren stated.

The Pacers, who finished fourth in the Eastern conference last regular season (45 wins and 28 losses), have lost five consecutive years in the first round of the playoffs, four of them under McMillan.

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