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Nate McMillan is new Pacers head coach

The Indiana Pacers announced Monday they have named Nate McMillan as their head coach.

McMillan has spent the last three seasons as Associate Head Coach for the Pacers under Frank Vogel.

“I truly believe Nate is the right coach for us at this time,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “When I heard he was interested, I got in touch with him, met with him and in our conversation I came away with all the confidence in the world in Nate to lead our franchise to where we want to go. His experience as a player, head coach and assistant coach in the NBA are valuable assets for us.”

“I want to thank Larry, Herb Simon and the Pacers for this opportunity, which is a great opportunity,” said McMillan. “I’ve been around this franchise three years and understand what the expectations are and look forward to working hard to try to meet them. We have a good team and good base to build from. I’m very anxious to get started.”

The 51-year-old (8/3/64) McMillan has a vast basketball background as a player and a coach. After playing collegiately at North Carolina State, McMillan was drafted by Seattle (30th overall) in the 1986 NBA Draft. He played his entire 12-year career with the Sonics and had his number (10) retired. He is second in franchise history in assists and steals and ranks in the top 10 in eight other categories. He was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive team twice (1994 and ’95) and led the league in steals in the 94-95 season with 2.96 per game.

After his playing days, McMillan was a Seattle assistant coach for two years and became the interim coach in 2000. He remained the Sonics’ coach until 2005 and then became Portland’s head coach until he was let go in March, 2012. In 2008-09, he led the Trail Blazers to a 54-28 record, the sixth-best record in franchise history. McMillan compiled a 478-452 (.514) record as a head coach for both teams. He also served as an assistant coach for the U.S. National Team where he won gold medals in the 2006 FIBA World Championships, the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics. McMillan was also inducted into the National Junior College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001 after playing at Chowan College before transferring to North Carolina State.

Pacers will not retain Frank Vogel as coach

Pacers will not retain Frank Vogel as head coach

Indiana Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird announced Thursday that Frank Vogel will not return as head coach of the Pacers. According to the Indianapolis Star, Vogel was at the end of his contract.

“I want to thank Frank for his time in Indiana,” said Bird. “We know he’ll be successful down the road and end up getting a job, but for us, I just feel it’s time to move in a different direction.”

Vogel stepped in as interim coach, Jan. 30, 2011, replacing Jim O’Brien, and was named head coach July 6, 2011. In five-plus seasons, Vogel compiled a 250-181 record, five NBA Playoff appearances, two Central Division championships and two trips to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The search for a new coach will begin immediately.

According to the Indianapolis Star, “Vogel, 42, began his career as the ladder-climbing video coordinator who would do anything to get his foot into the prestigious door of big-time basketball. He climbed all the way to the head of the Pacers’ bench, where he held the position for five full seasons after replacing Jim O’Brien during the 2010-11 season. The Pacers made five postseason appearances under Vogel and developed a reputation as one of the best defensive teams in the NBA.”

More from the Star: “However, the Pacers were 31-30 in the playoffs and never averaged more than 97.6 points per game during a postseason run, which includes this season when the Pacers (45-37) finished seventh in the Eastern Conference. On April 18 in Game 5, the Pacers spoiled an opportunity to take a commanding lead in the first-round series with the Toronto Raptors by squandering a 13-point advantage in the fourth quarter. Though the Pacers evened the series the next game, they lost to the Raptors in Game 7 on the road.”

Frank Vogel, Doc Rivers named NBA Coaches of Month for April, 2016

The Indiana Pacers’ Frank Vogel and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Doc Rivers today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in April.

Vogel led the Pacers to the best record in the Eastern Conference at 6-1. The Pacers won their final three games and held off the Detroit Pistons for the seventh seed in the East playoffs. Indiana averaged 108 points per game and shot a conference-best 49.3 percent from the field in April. Four of the Pacers’ six wins came by double digits, and their +8.6 scoring differential led the conference.

Rivers guided the Clippers, the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoffs, to a 6-1 record, tops in the West. The Clippers surrendered 100 or more points just twice in seven games and held opponents to an average of 94.1 points on a league-low 40.6 percent shooting from the field. L.A. posted back-to-back home wins over two West playoff teams, the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies, on April 10 and 12, rounding out a 4-0 month at Staples Center.

Other nominees for Coach of the Month were Boston’s Brad Stevens, Charlotte’s Steve Clifford, Dallas’ Rick Carlisle, Golden State’s Steve Kerr, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, Portland’s Terry Stotts and Toronto’s Dwane Casey.

Pacers sign Ty Lawson

The Indiana Pacers have signed point guard Ty Lawson.

Lawson, 5-11, 195-pounds is in his seventh year in the league. He played his first six seasons with the Nuggets before the Rockets acquired him last summer. He averaged 5.8 points per game and 3.4 assists with Houston in 53 games this season before they waived him last week.

According to the Indianapolis Star, “Lawson was not shy about why he picked the Pacers over four other teams that were pursuing him after he agreed last week to a buyout from the Houston Rockets. “This is the place for me,” he said with a smile. “I feel like I’ll actually get enough time to be able to play my game, so I’m just excited. We have a chance to win. The East is wide open from, like, the third seed to the 12th seed. I guess everybody is jumbled together. We definitely can make a lot of noise if we go on a seven- or eight-game win streak.”

During his career, Lawson is averaging 13.3 points and 5.8 assists per game. Lawson, who played collegiately at North Carolina, was a first-round pick (18th overall) in the 2009 NBA Draft.

“We’re glad to have Ty come play with the Pacers for this final run of the season,” said Pacers’ President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “We think he brings added speed to our backcourt, he can get up and down the floor and he helps strengthen our second unit.”

“This is a good opportunity for me to come here, try to help the Pacers win and get into the playoffs,” said Lawson. “I’m just ready to play and do whatever is needed.”

Pacers waive Chase Budinger

The Indiana Pacers announced they have requested waivers on 6-7 forward Chase Budinger.

Acquired from Minnesota in a trade last July, Budinger played in 49 games (starting two), averaging 4.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

The Pacers are 32-30 this season, and being led by Paul George (23.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 4.2 apg), Monta Ellis (14.3 ppg, 4.7 apg), George Hill, C.J. Miles, and Myles Turner.

Pacers hope to host an All-Star weekend

Here’s the Indianapolis Star reporting that the Pacers are making a push to host a future All-Star weekend:

One of the NBA’s most prized and glitzy events, the All-Star Game, is being held in Toronto for the first time this weekend. Among the abundance of celebrities, crazy basketball fanatics and the sport’s best players is a seven-person delegation from Indianapolis. Their mission, which began two months ago, is to bring the NBA’s midseason classic back to Indiana.

The Indiana Pacers, led by Rick Fuson, its chief operation officer, want the All-Star Game.

Fuson, along with other representatives from the Pacers, the Indiana Sports Corp and Visit Indy, wanted to see the festivities associated with the All-Star Game in person to examine why Toronto was selected and how Indianapolis can become a viable hosting option for the NBA. After Sunday’s game, Fuson and the rest of the group – including Ryan Vaughn, president of Indiana Sports Corp, and Leonard Hoops, president and CEO of Visit Indy – will discuss what they believe would make for a successful bid.

A league official confirmed Saturday that the Indianapolis delegation is in Toronto to observe how Toronto is operating the many events with the NBA. The official also said the 2019 All-Star Game is the earliest year the Pacers could make a bid. Fuson said it’s unclear if the Pacers will bid for 2019 or for a subsequent year. What is clear is that several people with knowledge of the Pacers’ trip this weekend believe the team will submit its bid in the next few months.

C.J. Miles having good season for Pacers

The Indiana Pacers (21-15) are led by Pau George’s 24.3 ppg this season, but another key reason for their success is the play of C.J. Miles, who in 26.8 minutes per game is putting up 13.9 ppg and doing more than his stats suggest. Here’s the Indianapolis Star reporting:

All NBA teams could use someone like Miles. More than a “glue guy,” a term tossed around to describe a significant yet sometimes skillfully challenged player who does the little things to help a team be successful. Miles has the talent to hit 8-of-9 3-point attempts and score 32 points (see: Nov. 24, Washington) but also the selflessness to accept any task thrown at him.

“He’s a team-first guy and willing to do whatever the team needs to win,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “He just smiles and says whatever you need me to do and says I’ll figure it out when I’m out there, whether it’s (playing the) 4, 3, 2, off the bench, starting.

“Every coach needs guys like that.”

Miles willingly morphs into a basketball shapeshifter because he’s done so all this life.

Brad Stevens back after visiting Andrew Smith

Here’s ESPN Boston reporting on Celtics coach Brad Stevens, who paid a personal visit to a former player who is dealing with serious health issues:

Celtics coach Brad Stevens rejoined the team before its flight to Memphis on Saturday and led an afternoon practice at the University of Memphis.

Stevens traveled to Indiana on Thursday to visit with Andrew Smith, one of his former Butler players, who is battling cancer. Stevens missed the team’s loss to the Bulls.

Stevens told reporters in Memphis that the past few days have been, “Very challenging, certainly puts things in a lot of perspective.”

Paul George fined $35,000 by NBA

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George has been fined $35,000 for public criticism of officiating and using profanity in a live television interview, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

George made his comments following the Pacers’ 104-97 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 18 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Rakeem Christmas named D-League Performer of Week

Fort Wayne Mad Ants forward Rakeem Christmas, playing on assignment from the Indiana Pacers, was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Monday, Nov. 30 – Sunday, Dec. 6.

Christmas (6-9, 239, Syracuse) led Fort Wayne to a 3-0 week behind averages 24.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.7 blocks. On Dec. 2, Christmas recorded a double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds as part of a 98-97 victory to hand the Westchester Knicks their first loss of the season. He followed that up with a five-block effort in a 98-94 win over the Canton Charge on Dec. 4. On Dec. 6, he scored a career-high 30 points on 11-for-15 shooting, to go along with seven rebounds, three blocks and two assists in a 105-92 victory over the Grand Rapids Drive.

For the season, Christmas is averaging 19.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.5 blocks (seventh in the D-League).

Christmas was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 36th overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft, before his rights were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on draft night. His rights were again traded to the Indiana Pacers on July 23, 2015. His assignment with Fort Wayne commenced on Nov. 2.

Other top performers considered include Austin’s Boban Marjanovic, Bakersfield’s Terrico White Iowa’s Joel Wright, Sioux Falls’ Greg Whittington, Texas’ Tu Holloway and Westchester’s Jimmer Fredette.