The Philadelphia 76ers have named Nick Nurse as their new head coach because the franchise chases its first NBA championship in 41 years.
The 76ers employed the 55-year-old Nurse, whom the Toronto Raptors fired in April.
Nurse led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship after they beat Joel Embiid and the Sixers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
Nurse changed Doc Rivers, who was fired after main the 76ers to their second straight 50-win season behind Embiid, this season’s league MVP, however once more did not make them the Eastern Conference finals.
The 76ers held a 3-2 semi-finals sequence lead towards Boston earlier than dropping Game 6 at dwelling and getting crushed in Game 7 on the street.
“It’s been a fun challenge coaching against this group over the last five years,” Nurse mentioned. “Now, I look forward to coaching the Sixers and doing my part to deliver for this tremendous fan base.”
The size of his contract was not instantly revealed.
“His championship pedigree and diversity of experience mixed with his uniquely creative approach made him our top priority,” staff president Daryl Morey mentioned.
“We are confident his leadership and expertise will help us unlock the full potential of our talented roster and bring an exciting new era of championship basketball to Philadelphia.”
Nurse went 227-163 in his 5 seasons as coach in Toronto, the place his .582 successful share ranks as one of the best of any coach in Raptors historical past.
He spent 5 years as an assistant to former Raptors coach Dwane Casey earlier than taking excessive job.
Nurse will inherit a staff wherein Embiid blossomed into an MVP, Tyrese Maxey developed right into a rising star and James Harden flashed his outdated All-Star kind within the playoffs.
Yet for all that expertise, the Sixers are dwelling watching the NBA Finals.
“This team could be playing tonight,” Nurse mentioned.
But they are not, after all. The Denver Nuggets host the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the Finals.
The Sixers turned to Nurse to attempt resolve these second-round woes and win them a title.
But do not anticipate Nurse to dwell a lot on the Sixers’ post-season malaise.
“I don’t really vibrate on the frequency of the past,” Nurse mentioned.
Nurse met with Embiid earlier than accepting the job, ensuring all was cool with the franchise participant after a severe of (often playful) jabs they’ve thrown at one another all through the years.
Some of one of the best vibrant quips grew to become social media fodder this week.
“It’s a little bit entertaining for me,” Nurse mentioned. “I accidentally had my TV on yesterday and I saw a couple of them. They were pretty good.”
Morey mentioned his new coach will work properly with Embiid.
Nurse earned a repute as a inventive defensive tactician, who usually stymied Embiid by throwing double- and triple-teams at him. Embiid may need a better time chasing a hoop with Nurse than preventing towards him.
“For a coach to succeed in this league, he has to have great relationships with his players, especially his top players,” Morey mentioned.
That included Harden.
The 76ers nonetheless must determine if they’ll attempt to deliver again Harden, who is predicted on June 29 to say no the $35.6m ($A54m) choice on his contract and change into a free agent.
“James has a decision to make, and I’d be very happy if he came back,” Nurse mentioned.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
