On Monday, the Atlanta Hawks fired coach Lloyd Pierce, who has been coaching the team since the start of the 2018-19 season. He had a record of 63-120 during his time with the team and this season, he led the team to a record of 14-20. The team announced Monday night that Nate McMillan will take over as interim coach.
Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk said the following in a statement:
“We would like to thank Lloyd for his work and commitment not only to the Hawks organization, but also to the city of Atlanta. He and his wife, Melissa, are incredible people who have made a positive impact across the city,” said Schlenk. “We have high expectations for our team on the pitch and we believe that by making this change, we can have a strong second part of the season.”
Many coaches and others in the basketball world responded to the shooting, with many praising Pierce for his work outside the court and the person he is. They also applauded the, now a former Hawks coach, for his knowledge of basketball.
Here are some of the main reactions:
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said it was a “sad day” to see someone lose his job that way and compared that to losing a good player because he was poorly rated.
NBCA President Rick Carlisle mentioned his political work, saying: “Georgia, largely because of Lloyd’s work and commitment, has gone from a traditional republican state to a democratic state … which has changed the situation enormously. landscape of our country. “
Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash said, “He is a great young coach and an incredible human being. Many organizations would be lucky to have him. Disappointed by Lloyd. With his talent, character and work ethic, he will be well. “
Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford also interjected, saying, “It sucks. He did a really good job. He’s an amazing person. Yes, that’s a tough one.”