Addressing reporters in a press conference a day after dismissing head coach Nate McMillan, Hawks general manager Landry Fields framed the decision as a difficult but necessary one, per Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
According to Fields, the possibility of a coaching change had been on his radar for “the last month or so,” and he finalized the decision to make the move over the All-Star break after the Hawks closed the first half with losses to Charlotte and New York.
Asked about reports that McMillan considered resigning earlier in the season, Fields said that the Hawks’ coach never expressed that desire to him.
Fields also stated that Atlanta has already begun speaking to potential candidates to replace McMillan on a permanent basis, confirming that Quin Snyder is among the options the team will consider (Snyder was identified by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski as a leading candidate). The Hawks’ general manager declined to confirm any other names on Atlanta’s list of possible targets, explaining that he didn’t want to discuss anyone who’s under contract with another club.
Here are a few more highlights from Fields’ Wednesday presser, as relayed by Williams:
On whether Trae Young or any other Hawks players had input in the decision to dismiss McMillan:
“They did not have any role in this decision. I would not ever go to players on something like this. This was solely my decision at the end of the day. As far as a new candidate, to me our objectives and our values are clear. And the players fall in line with those, as well. So (I) don’t necessarily need their feedback on who that will be.”
On whether McMillan’s relationship with Young was part of the reason for his ouster:
“No, I think that at the end of the day, it came down to how all players were responding to his voice, and I just didn’t see it. I didn’t see the trajectory going anywhere that was going to be beneficial for us.”
On what qualities the Hawks are looking for in their next permanent head coach:
“Well, it always starts with a shared vision. And I always simplify that as being a championship-caliber franchise. And that’s not just with our goals, that’s our day-in-and-day-out approach.
“Character is something that is going to be high on our list, and I think it’s a big broad word but for us, having a great degree of emotional intelligence being able to connect not just with staff members, but also with players, is gonna be high on the list. Somebody that is able and willing to hold the line, accountability is huge for us. And then at the end of the day has a strong emphasis on development. That is something that we will be making sure is part of our priorities here with Atlanta. So, those would be some to start.”
On his expectations for the Hawks going forward:
“I believe we can get a lot better. I think that this is a very talented roster. And looking at our record, like it’s not acceptable with what I believe this roster can be. So that’s why we’re trying to make a change and level up.”
This guy’s so fake! Atlanta is a loser franchise and I doubt that changes anytime soon. Always have always will suck
Replace him with Snyder and expect a tirade from Stephen A Smith.
They know they screwed up with Trae so fired the coach to keep their job…
On what qualities the Hawks are looking for in their next permanent head coach:
“Well, it always starts with a shared vision.”
In other words, however gets the job will have a shared vision with Trae and do as Trae wants cause this is clearly his team.
Grow a pair and get the way available coach Ike Udoka. Look at how Tatum developed as a leader and defender under him and that’s the two biggest weaknesses to Trae games. As far as player relations Tatum also said he is his favourite coach he’s had on the Celtics. Might not be the publics favourite choice or Trae Young’s favourite but I think he clearly the best available and could be a really good fit.
I definitely feel like Atlanta has an incredibly talented team, but it feels like they have no identity. Murray and Young were supposed to be this elite two-guard setup and instead they’ve become a discount version of Melo and Iverson in Denver. Just taking turns going at the basket, lots of isos. The two don’t coordinate well. That’s aside from the fact that the players all play at different speeds, so they don’t have a unified offense. And Young is always going to be a bad defender. I love their individual players, Murray is a personal favorite but Capela, Okongwu, Bogey, and AJ Griffin are all fun guys to watch. And I truly hope John Collins gets it together and has a good career. But I’m of the opinion it’ll take more than a coaching change.
Gotta say I agree with alot of what u said here. Talented but a bit soft is probably our identity now & it’s been that since even before Nate was hired. We’ve brought in some tougher guys in Dejounte & Saddiq but those guys are fairly young & both just got here. The fact that Nate couldn’t change that identity or bring some toughness to this team is probably his 2nd biggest failure here… Main reason he’s gone is bc of the failure to get JC to produce like he’s capable. Injuries are obv the biggest factor there. Anyone who’s paid any attention to the Hawks over the past year knows exactly why John’s 3pt shooting has gone way down. Hopefully the boy can get that turned around. If not then the new coach will have to do what Nate couldn’t (but Lloyd Pierce did), get John the ball when he’s headed toward the rim more often… me personally I’m extremely happy with the roster tho. We got our core signed up for yrs. Only big upcoming decisions will be whether Onyeka &/or Saddiq get extended & what to do with Bogi if/when he opts out this summer. Trae, DJ, Dre, John, Jalen & AJ all signed up for the foreseeable future & they’re all still young & improving & gaining chemistry with each other. A young, TOUGH, competitive coach that can relate to our guys a lil better than Nate is exactly what we need imo. Jason Terry fits that mold perfectly. He’s also a former Hawk who was beloved here & has a big personality. Jet wouldn’t have much problem putting his imprint on this team. He also has the Seattle connection with Dejounte. He’s a born shooter & not afraid of guys shooting the 3 like Nate was. He’s also just an extremely likable guy that the fanbase would embrace easily
I disagree about Trae & DJ not working well together tho. And the discount Melo/AI comparison is miles away from reality. Jaylen Brown & Jayson Tatum are more of a my turn/your turn combo than Trae & DJ who are both very willing passers. They’re both just naturally better off the bounce (as shooters or playmakers) than off the catch bc they’re both natural lead guards. But there’s more positives in that situation than negatives no doubt. Trae & DJ could obv work better together but those guys def aren’t the problem
Hawks fan so maybe biased, however, many time this season I’ve seen what the offense can be. When the ball moves this team can really fill it up. Trae’s shot selection has been much better lately but the ball movement has not been there. A strong coach with an offensive mind can AT LEAST make this an upper level offense.
Defensively the fit is not great. People rip on Trae and he has physical limitations for sure on that end but he is playing much harder defensively this year in my opinion.
I’m glad they are moving on. I like Nate as a person but he is a horrendous offensive coach.
Problem is if they do end up with Synder, how much of an upgrade is that on the offensive side of the floor?
Atlanta needs different players or the same problems will persist. They could have let Mac finish out the season, and should have. Whoever they hire is not going to get different results with the same ingredients.
Mac tried a lot of different things, but lengthy, cagey, defenders the Hawks are not, and fast breaking to Traes strengths is just trading buckets without the right supporting cast.
“The Knicks have split their four meetings with the Hawks this season, with their last, a wire-to-wire 122-101 win in Atlanta, hastening McMillan’s exit.”
In todays gm the players have a bigger say about the coach. You can’t fire players …..
Hawks got plenty of talent. So what’s their real problem ???? I’m sure it wasn’t McMillan.
But sometimes change is what you need. So you’re welcome Atlanta.