2001-02 in Review: In his first full season as a head coach, Nate McMillan put his stamp clearly on the Seattle SuperSonics. The results were 45 wins, a surprising playoff run, and strong Coach of the Year consideration for McMillan (several prominent national basketball columnists picked him for the award, and he finished fourth in the final voting). McMillan was the heart and soul of the Sonics, who took on his resilient personality and were able to overcome persistent injuries and a difficult schedule. At the same time, however, McMillan did display coaching weaknesses that time and experience should correct. His offense was in disarray much of the season before the Sonics went to a pick-and-roll focus in the absence of injured Vin Baker. In the end, McMillan was a positive influence on his team.

Previous Career: Although he was never a star, McMillan became arguably the most popular player in Sonic history over his 12-year career with the team. His impressive work ethic and heady on-court play made him an unofficial coach during his final few seasons with the team as McMillan struggled with injuries, and he officially graduated to the role of assistant coach following his retirement after the 1997-98 season. There was some speculation that McMillan might immediately inherit the top job, but the Sonics decided to groom him while Paul Westphal was head man. Over the next two years, McMillan did nothing to tarnish his sterling reputation, serving along with Dwane Casey as a 'go-between' for Westphal with the players because of his closer relationship with them. McMillan's role in the rapid rise of Rashard Lewis was also prominent. After the 1999-2000 season, McMillan interviewed for one head coaching job. Though he was not seriously considered, it was clear that he was a rising prospect in the coaching field. It seemed a natural move, then, to name McMillan interim coach when Westphal was fired in November 2000. McMillan won his first two games against Portland and the Lakers and was able to turn a floundering 6-9 team back into a playoff contender. For his efforts, McMillan had the interim tag removed on January 5 and later received a new four-year contract.

Tactics: Defensively, McMillan de-emphasized the trapping defense popularized by his own coach, George Karl, as last season went on. That helped turn the Sonics’ season around. On offense, McMillan was unable to create a cohesive offense most of the season. During the fourth quarter, when things broke down, the Sonics had no base other than Gary Payton trying to take over the game. However, the pick-and-roll proved perfect for the Sonics’ talents and was critical in the Sonics’ best stretch of the season. Although McMillan’s strategy helped the Sonics to a strong record in close games during his first season, they struggled in such games last year.
Grade: B

Lineups: Perhaps McMillan’s most impressive achievement last season was putting together a regular rotation. Though injuries forced McMillan to shuffle the players in given roles frequently throughout the season, the roles themselves remained well defined. Sometimes, McMillan did shuffle unnecessarily; rotating Earl Watson and Shammond Williams all season hurt the team and Watson’s development. On the whole, however, it was difficult to criticize McMillan’s decisions like inserting Brent Barry into the starting lineup, which proved pure genius.
Grade: B

Communication: Between a full season of McMillan as head coach and a revamped roster, previous problems in the locker room completely disappeared, with the Sonics instead becoming a happy and cohesive bunch. Perhaps the biggest change was in Payton, who took McMillan’s comments last summer to heart and behaved himself better than he ever had before in his career. While obviously the change itself could only come from Payton, much credit for it has to go to McMillan’s fatherly influence on Payton.
Grade: B+

Overall: Was McMillan really the best coach in the NBA last season? To a close observer, it was clear he was not and that there is still room for growth. But what else is to be expected from a 38-year-old with less than two years experience? McMillan is the man in Seattle and commands unparalleled respect from fans and the media. He is without question the long-term answer for the Sonics as head coach and much success is bound to follow.
Grade: B