Indiana Pacers first-year head coach Nate McMillan hinted at the possibility of “major changes” occurring if the Pacers don’t approach game 4 vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers with the right attitude. From ABC News:
“We know we have a big mountain to climb. We’re not talking right now about winning the series. We’re talking about staying alive. You could lose a lot more than just this game if you don’t approach this game the right way,” McMillan said before Game 4 (1 p.m. ET, ABC). “… If you go out there and lay down and give them the game … you lose respect; there could be a lot of major changes. There could be a lot you could lose. The big thing is losing respect from your fan base and from fans all over.”
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“The battle since I’ve been here, LeBron has been in the way of this organization getting to the Finals,” McMillan said “… There’s a lot of challenges for us to put out there and to play for. And really our fan base, they’ve been really supportive. I know they’re going to come ready, and we have to come ready.”
One change coming for the Pacers – likely against their will – could be the departure of Paul George. George will have a player option in 2018-19, and the Pacers could decide to trade him for assets and rebuild rather than continue to be the sort of team that gets swept in the first round each season. Especially if George wants out.
