National Basketball Association

Nate McMillan Drops F-Bomb as He Emphasizes Turnovers In Practice

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

“That’s a F***ING turnover,” says Nate McMillan during Indiana Pacers training camp.

Nate McMillan doesn’t want the Indiana Pacers dribbling into traffic.

During a practice session open to the media, the coach used some expressive language to emphasize ball movement and unselfish play.

“We don’t play in traffic, we don’t throw in traffic, we don’t dribble in traffic. OK, that’s a f***ing turnover,” said McMillan. “We don’t play, throw, dribble in traffic — meaning trying to split the defense. If there’s two people there, give up the ball. It is a simple game, OK?

Nate McMillan to his Pacers on the 1st day of practice: pic.twitter.com/fpVo2duTSa

— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) September 27, 2016

That’s an understandable concern as the Pacers were 10th in turnovers last season. Paul George and Monta Ellis were the worst offenders, committing 3.3 and 2.3 a game, respectively.

PG’s average dribbling skills have caused him to often turn the ball over in traffic on drives, making him one of the NBA’s more turnover prone players in that situation. George does some special things when he’s on the court, but turning the ball over in traffic is a weakness of his.

How much the players heed this advice is yet to be seen, but they can’t say McMillan didn’t make his wishes perfectly clear.