New coaches: predicting current style of play based on previous years (Part 1)

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Ten teams will enter the 2016-17 season with a new head coach. Here is a primer on how their teams have looked in the past and how their philosophies will impact the fantasy production of their players (and opponents).

In part one, we will look at the four men who were assistant coaches last year that have found jobs as head coaches - including one internal promotion and three first-time head coaches. Click here for part two.

Nate McMillan, Indiana Pacers

Previous: Indiana Pacers (assistant); Portland Trail Blazers
Key Attributes: Defense-first, slow pace

If Pacers president Larry Bird really intended to shake things up, he probably would have looked beyond the man who was Frank Vogel's associate head coach for the past three seasons. Philosophically, Vogel and McMillan appear to be cut from the same cloth.

Frank Vogel's Pacers were known for their defense-first mentality, often ranking among the slowest teams in terms of pace - and the staunchest in points allowed per game. Look for McMillan to largely maintain the status quo; in his three winning seasons (2008-11) as head coach in Portland, the Trail Blazers ranked dead last in possessions per game.

Pace is an important factor in fantasy basketball. When Indiana slows the ball down, it decreases the volume of fantasy production for everyone on the court, including the opponent. Avoid overexposing your lineup to the Pacers' defense - especially in daily fantasy cash-game lineups.

Luke Walton, Los Angeles Lakers

Previous: Golden State Warriors (assistant)
Key Attributes: Perimeter shooting

Fresh off two-straight Finals appearances, Walton is back with the team he won a title with as a player. The Warriors, of course, were built outside-in with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson already among the best 3-point shooters in NBA history. The Lakers ranked dead last in both 3-point percentage and assists per game last year.

Walton, 36, has already connected with the Lakers' stable of young, blue-chip players. No one expects things to turn around immediately but the development of PG D'Angelo Russell, SF Brandon Ingram and PF Julius Randle will take center stage.

Last year, coach Byron Scott was quick to discipline Russell with limited playing time when he made mistakes; without that short leash, expect him to see an increase in minutes per game. His fantasy production on a per-game basis could rival that of established veterans like Jeff Teague. It wouldn't be a shock to see both players go in the sixth round in 10-team leagues.

The best-case scenario is that Walton lets the kids work through their miscues. If their scoring efficiency isn't optimal, steady minutes will mean increased opportunity to contribute in counting stats, mainly rebounds, blocks and steals. Don't expect the Lakers to be a great source of 3-point shots made or assists quite yet.

David Fizdale, Memphis Grizzlies

Previous: Miami Heat (assistant)
Key Attributes: Driving wings, small-ball bigs

The teams on which Fizdale has been an assistant have often featured floor-stretching bigs, most successfully with Chris Bosh during the Heat's four straight Finals appearances. Marc Gasol shot 44.3 percent from 15-to-19 feet away from the net last season, so he will likely continue being a playmaker on the left elbow. The real key will be Chandler Parsons' health.

With Parsons alongside Gasol, Fizdale will be able to eke out enough space for poor perimeter shooters Mike Conley and Tony Allen to drive to the hoop. Parsons is no Bosh defensively, and Conley is no Dwyane Wade, but Fizdale has some pieces to work with. After years of sacrificing scoring ability for grit, expect the Grizzlies to improve their shooting efficiency across the board.

With Parsons in tow, look for the pace to quicken in Memphis. Opposing bigs will try to switch onto him to take advantage of his slight frame in the paint. Both of these factors should lead to increased scoring from Memphis' opponents - a boon in daily fantasy.

Look for Conley's scoring to improve, though he's still decidedly in the third-tier of fantasy PGs - not superstars nor All-Stars, but dependable PGs that can be relied on for around 15 points and six assists on a given night.

Kenny Atkinson, Brooklyn Nets

Previous: Atlanta Hawks (assistant)
Key Attributes: Third generation of the Popovich coaching tree

Atkinson honed his coaching chops as an assistant on Mike Budenholzer's staff in Atlanta, which ran an offense built on movement, passing and a healthy dose of 3-point shooting. Last season, the Hawks ranked second in assists per game (25.3), second in percentage of assisted field goals made (65.8 percent), and fifth in 3-point shots attempted per game (28.8).

The Nets finished 14th in the conference last year and have spent the last two seasons trading away veterans without adding any blue-chip young assets. Don't expect Atkinson to immediately begin installing a Spursian offense; the vast majority of the players in Brooklyn aren't likely to be there long-term.

Brook Lopez's field goal attempts last year largely came from post-ups (29.8 percent) and pick-and-rolls (21.2 percent); he's largely reliant on playmakers. Jeremy Lin just inked a three-year contract and is a marked improvement over Lopez's PGs last season; expect Lopez's points and FG percentage and Lin's assist rate to improve. That will be the offense for this cellar-dweller while Atkinson figures out who on the roster is even playable.