NBA Rumors: 5 Teams That Need to Hire Nate McMillan

By (Featured Columnist) on April 12, 2012

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It's safe to say Nate McMillan was in the club of local team managers that were despised at home, but beloved across the country.

He joins the Detroit Tigers' Jim Leyland, Boston Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine and former Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio.

These guys were very popular amongst the pundits, and casual fans alike.

Those that really followed Portland realized that McMillan really wasn't as great as some in the national media thought he was.

McMillan was terrible at in-game adjustments, was slow to realize mismatches and seemed completely inept at transitioning into a more up-tempo offense given his young and athletic roster.

That being said, he does have some value as a coach, and McMillan is easily better than at least a quarter of the coaches out there.

He wants to get back into the coaching game (via Seattle Times), and there are teams that could certainly use him.

Here are five teams that need to bring Nate McMillan in as soon as possible.

Golden State Warriors

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Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Golden State is a young, athletic and very talented squad, but lack direction.

This is the perfect team for McMillan to lead.

McMillan is not the guy that will get you a championship, but is a teacher that can take a lottery squad and make them a playoff team.

Given the fact Steph Curry and Andrew Bogut will have some time to heal, and should be healthy next year, McMillan could make them a playoff team in as little as a year.

Charlotte Bobcats

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Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The Bobcats are a rudderless franchise.

However, the team does have some talent, and will likely have the top pick in this year's draft, presumably Anthony Davis.

I can only imagine how good this team could be with two young and charismatic leaders such as Kemba Walker and Davis. Both are willing defenders, and McMillan certainly knows about that side of the ball.

However, could team owner Michael Jordan and McMillan coexist?

Washington Wizards

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Rob Carr/Getty Images

McMillan wishes he had the talent of John Wall back in the day.

That being said, Wall lacks the proper leadership that will unlock his immense skills.

McMillan can teach the young point guard how to play smarter, play better on the ball defense and involve his teammates without highlight reel plays.

Plus, I like the idea of Jan Vesely actually having a solid coach going forward.

Orlando Magic

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Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

The worst kept secret in basketball is that Stan Van Gundy is going to be fired after this year.

Dwight Howard all but dictated as much.

So who better to take over the reins than someone that was a defense-first player, and inspires respect amongst his coworkers?

McMillan could be the missing piece for the last hurrah of the Dwight express in Orlando.

Cleveland Cavaliers

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Chris Chambers/Getty Images

The Cavs have the perfect mix of players for McMillan to succeed.

Cleveland has a talented point guard, some solid role players that specialize in defense and an owner that wants to make a splash.

McMillan, like I said earlier, is a teacher.

The Cavs need someone to take the team by the throat and lead them in the right direction.

Sure, they won't be a playoff team anytime soon, but McMillan will get the most out of Kyrie Irving.

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