It was negligible. McMillian isnt some coaching savant. The team responded great to a change in coaching, but how much was them just giving up on Lloyd Pierce? Who is the last coach that has won with marginal players just on his own ability to coach and manage? It is a symbiotic relationship to a certain extent, but Atlanta will live and die by what Trae Young can do and during the playoffs they got the best version of Trae Young imaginable and it propelled them to the ECF. This year Atlanta is struggling. Bad coaching? I wouldnt say that. Players just arent playing up to the same standards that they were after the coaching switch last year. Defensively especially - their GM just went public admonishing their effort on that end of the court. Just my anecdotal opinions on this team specifically - dont really keep up with Atlanta basketball.
Honestly Kenny Atkinson would be very good for this Rockets team, but he wouldn't be playing Wood and wouldn't have suspended Porter for a single game. He loves his players, they learn and play hard for him but his big thing is you don't quit. Charles Lee Jr. would be another interesting young coach that would possibly be a good fit. He is considered very smart but relates well to the younger players. He also has a bit of an edge to him. Ryan Pannone is someone that Daryl Morey was going to put in charge of all player development before the nightmare owner destroyed everything. He is a very progressive and hard working coach that is considered tough but well liked for his passion and intelligence. He also gives his players a lot of responsibilities on the floor.
I mean it’s obvious that a coach can’t turn a team of shitty players into the Warriors but it happens too often that coaches come in and the whole dynamic changes that i can’t agree with the statement that coaches are just a reflection of the talent level on their team. i agree however that it is a symbiotic relationship between coaches and players. If the coach is ****, great talent will look like a lesser version and otoh great coaches with awful talent will look just as bad. that, however, means that there is definitely value in having a good coach.
