The 76ers have come to terms with former Toronto Raptors’ head coach Nick Nurse. Given recent history, there aren’t many things Sixers’ fan hate more than the Raptors, except for maybe Drake. But that’s all water under the bridge now as the Sixers snagged the best head coach available. So delete all of your Nurse-bashing tweets over the past 5 years and get ready for a wild ride.
Past prejudices aside, Nick Nurse is decorated head coach. He has the second-most wins and the highest winning percentage in Raptors’ franchise history (227-163 in the regular season and 25-16 in the postseason). Even before his NBA tenure, Nurse was pegged as a rising star. Let’s take a look at his most notable accomplishments.
G League Accolades
Nick Nurse was a rock star head coach in the G League (formerly known as the D League) before jumping over to the NBA. His accolades include:
- 2008–2009 division title, Iowa Energy
- 2009–2010 division title, Iowa Energy
- 2010-2011 NBA G League championship, Iowa Energy (the team’s first-ever championship)
- 2010-2011 NBA G League Coach of the Year, Iowa Energy
- 2012-2013 NBA G League championship, Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- 2012-2013 NBA G League Coach of the Year, Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Nurse’s achievements in the NBA G League played a crucial role in establishing his reputation as a talented coach, eventually leading to his opportunity as an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors in 2013.
Championship Coach
In 2018, Nurse was named the head coach of the Toronto Raptors. In his first season as head coach, Nurse led the Raptors to a franchise-record 58 wins and guided them to their first-ever NBA championship in 2019. The Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, with Nurse’s coaching strategies and adjustments playing a crucial role in the team’s victory.
Sixers’ fans remember the 2019 playoffs all too well. In a Game 7 vs the Raptors in the Eastern Conference Semi Finals, Kawhi Leonard hit an improbable game-winner over all-star defender Joel Embiid. A buzzer-beater that that bounced off of the rim not once, not twice, not thrice, but four times before going in.
Coach of the Year
Nick Nurse received the prestigious Coach of the Year award in his second season as the head coach of the Toronto Raptors. Under Nurse’s guidance, the Raptors had a remarkable season despite losing superstar, Kawhi Leonard, who had played a vital role in their championship-winning campaign the previous year. Nurse effectively managed the transition and kept the team competitive, leading them to a strong 53-19 regular-season record.
So, Why Did Toronto Fire Nurse?
Nurse looks great on paper. So why did Toronto fire him? Well, for one Nurse had one of the hottest starts for an NBA head coach in history. He won a championship in his rookie season and then was awarded coach of the year in his sophomore season. A pretty great first 2 years, nearly impossible to top.
Then in Nurse’s third season, COVID hit and Toronto had to temporarily relocate to Tampa, essentially becoming a perennial road team. On top of that, the Raptors became a defensive liability without Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol. Toronto ended the season with 27 wins and 45 losses.
Nurse bounced back in his fourth season with 48 wins. His Raptors faced the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. Toronto stretched the series to 6 games on a dirty elbow from Siakam to Embiid, which fractured Embiid’s orbital bone. With Embiid playing through injuries, the Sixers’ post-season run ended in another second round exit.
Then there’s last year… Toronto ended the season 41-41 with a play-in loss to the Chicago Bulls. The biggest issue all year appeared to be a lack of chemistry both on and off the court. Struggling to stay above .500, Nurse and Toronto’s front office clashed over Nurse’s use of player personnel in particular a lack of bench development (sound familiar) and over-working his starters.
Already on rocky ground with Raptors’ president Masai Ujiri, Nurse sealed his fate when he publicly stated that he would reassess his future as head coach of the team in a pregame interview against yours truly (the Sixers). It’s pretty unprofessional to ponder your future in front of the media especially with your team fighting for a playoff spot. Ujiri thought so too and fired Nurse at the end of the season.
From Doc to Nurse
Comparing Nick Nurse and Doc Rivers, it’s evident that they have different coaching styles. While Nurse emphasizes adaptability and experimentation, Rivers is known for his communication skills and defensive focus. While both coaches have won an NBA championship, their methods for success are vastly different.
Nurse is known for his innovative and adaptable coaching style. He is willing to make in-game adjustments and experiment with different lineups and strategies to maximize his team’s performance. Nurse emphasizes strong defensive play and encourages an unselfish, team-oriented approach on offense.
Rivers is widely recognized as a strong leader who establishes a positive and cohesive team culture. He is known for his ability to connect with players (except Harden apparently), build relationships, and earn their trust. Rivers is often praised for his excellent communication skills, which help him effectively convey his vision and game plan to his players. What he lacks in adaptability, Rivers makes up for with his game preparation.
Will Nick Nurse the Sixers Back to Health?
It remains to be seen what impact Nurse will have on the Sixers, but one thing is clear… a change was needed. Doc failed to get us over the hill in three consecutive years. Now Nurse will have a chance to shine. Hopefully his innovative mindset maximizes the Sixers offense while bolstering their defense. With the top available head coach now off of the board, the Sixers need to decide whether to rebuild or run-it-back with Harden. Either way, the team should look drastically different next year, which beats doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
