Nick Nurse appreciation thread!

[Tacoma]

Top-5 coach in the league. It's a shame Masai couldn't give him a competitive roster.

He should have been our coach Pop if he'd been given better roster after 2020

SAS had some down years after Kawhi came to us. Did Pop ride his best players to the detriment of developing whomever he was given to work with? Did SAS have pecking order problems? Did Pop let his starters do whatever the hell they wanted on offense? Did he implement defensive schemes that only a championship team could maintain for long periods of time?

When Pop had less talent, he wasn't fired.

Pops is not comparable. He's President, GM and Coach. He's about winning but realized last season was one to tank for best chance at Wemby. On the other hand, Masai was a buyer, selling a 1st rnd pick at the trade deadline despite being 10th seed at the time.

There were probably irreconcilable differences between Nurse & Masai that caused Nurse to ponder aloud his time here. One was likely about roster construction that in order to win, he had to ride his starters because we were thin on talent and weak shooting.

Nurse's record here was impeccable - Raptors' best win rate of 71% in the regular season and 67% in the playoffs. Some excuse Masai for perceived poor performances b/c he brought us a Championship. So did Nurse.

[Ackshun]

Top-5 coach in the league. It's a shame Masai couldn't give him a competitive roster.

He should have been our coach Pop if he'd been given better roster after 2020

SAS had some down years after Kawhi came to us. Did Pop ride his best players to the detriment of developing whomever he was given to work with? Did SAS have pecking order problems? Did Pop let his starters do whatever the hell they wanted on offense? Did he implement defensive schemes that only a championship team could maintain for long periods of time?

When Pop had less talent, he wasn't fired.

We have no idea what directives were given to Nick Nurse from our management team.

If they told him to go out there and make the playoffs, he likely felt he had to ride the starters more.

Don’t forget - he quit on our management team. It’s that old saying - people don’t quit jobs, they quit bosses. Masai and Bobby have done an awful job building a competitive team, with big glaring weaknesses for years. Nick came out in the reg season, basically saying ..I don’t think I’m going to being this **** anymore”

[Johnny Bball]

The GM is responsible for everyone on the roster and the head coach. When things go wrong, it is appropriate to direct the majority of the blame towards the GM. Just like in any other business. Its their responsibility to handle the situation.

What are you blathering about. The person failing to do his job properly was the coach and nobody else, and it was dealt with it, aftyer repeated discussions. Its not like he let a bad situation linger, which would be failing.

Actually thinking that was some wisdom... wtf.

[ItsDanger]

The GM is responsible for everyone on the roster and the head coach. When things go wrong, it is appropriate to direct the majority of the blame towards the GM. Just like in any other business. Its their responsibility to handle the situation.

What are you blathering about. The person failing to do his job properly was the coach and nobody else, and it was dealt with it, aftyer repeated discussions. Its not like he let a bad situation linger, which would be failing.

Actually thinking that was some wisdom... wtf.

Nothing I stated was anything big brain whatsoever, its typical business management that goes on everyday. Yes, Masai replaced a key employee but he created the entire situation, the head coach is only one aspect. So direct the blame appropriately.

[Johnny Bball]

The GM is responsible for everyone on the roster and the head coach. When things go wrong, it is appropriate to direct the majority of the blame towards the GM. Just like in any other business. Its their responsibility to handle the situation.

What are you blathering about. The person failing to do his job properly was the coach and nobody else, and it was dealt with it, aftyer repeated discussions. Its not like he let a bad situation linger, which would be failing.

Actually thinking that was some wisdom... wtf.

Nothing I stated was anything big brain whatsoever, its typical business management that goes on everyday. Yes, Masai replaced a key employee but he created the entire situation, the head coach is only one aspect. So direct the blame appropriately.

What are you blatheirng about again? Its typcial in business to deal with a problem one way or another, but to fix the issue. The only one not dealing with the issue was the coach, so the solution is the coach gets fired because he refuses to fix it.

I am directing it appropriately, you just don't understand the concept of accountability. Like perhaps placing even larger blame on the guy that pretty much quit on the team on camera.

[ItsDanger]

What are you blathering about. The person failing to do his job properly was the coach and nobody else, and it was dealt with it, aftyer repeated discussions. Its not like he let a bad situation linger, which would be failing.

Actually thinking that was some wisdom... wtf.

Nothing I stated was anything big brain whatsoever, its typical business management that goes on everyday. Yes, Masai replaced a key employee but he created the entire situation, the head coach is only one aspect. So direct the blame appropriately.

What are you blatheirng about again? Its typcial in business to deal with a problem one way or another, but to fix the issue. The only one not dealing with the issue was the coach, so the solution is the coach gets fired because he refuses to fix it.

I am directing it appropriately, you just don't understand the concept of accountability.

Let the Nurse hate flow! If he was such a bad coach like you thought, Sixers would be struggling. That is the root of the spite displayed here.

[Johnny Bball]

Nothing I stated was anything big brain whatsoever, its typical business management that goes on everyday. Yes, Masai replaced a key employee but he created the entire situation, the head coach is only one aspect. So direct the blame appropriately.

What are you blatheirng about again? Its typcial in business to deal with a problem one way or another, but to fix the issue. The only one not dealing with the issue was the coach, so the solution is the coach gets fired because he refuses to fix it.

I am directing it appropriately, you just don't understand the concept of accountability.

Let the Nurse hate flow! If he was such a bad coach like you thought, Sixers would be struggling. That is the root of the spite displayed here.

Do you think he's not going to lose that room inside of 5 years? Whatabout is your thing though. And the entitement, lack of **** and finger pointing to divert blame is yours.

[WaltFrazier]

He should have been our coach Pop if he'd been given better roster after 2020

SAS had some down years after Kawhi came to us. Did Pop ride his best players to the detriment of developing whomever he was given to work with? Did SAS have pecking order problems? Did Pop let his starters do whatever the hell they wanted on offense? Did he implement defensive schemes that only a championship team could maintain for long periods of time?

When Pop had less talent, he wasn't fired.

We have no idea what directives were given to Nick Nurse from our management team.

If they told him to go out there and make the playoffs, he likely felt he had to ride the starters more.

Don’t forget - he quit on our management team. It’s that old saying - people don’t quit jobs, they quit bosses. Masai and Bobby have done an awful job building a competitive team, with big glaring weaknesses for years. Nick came out in the reg season, basically saying ..I don’t think I’m going to being this **** anymore”

He's got to be enjoying coaching a talented roster again after the poor bench Masai supplied him with.

[brownbobcat]

SAS had some down years after Kawhi came to us. Did Pop ride his best players to the detriment of developing whomever he was given to work with? Did SAS have pecking order problems? Did Pop let his starters do whatever the hell they wanted on offense? Did he implement defensive schemes that only a championship team could maintain for long periods of time?

When Pop had less talent, he wasn't fired.

Nurse was on board with tanking in 2021 after it became clear that it was a lost season. He also gave Scottie a lot of rope as a rookie.

When the wins started coming unexpectedly in 2022, I didn't hear Masai complaining or urging more time for Flynn. What did he do instead? Started trading away picks for vets. Chose to keep Siakam and FVV because he wanted to retain them as key pieces of the core going forward. That's a pretty clear signal to me that they FO expected the team to win as much as possible

When they started struggling in 2023, what did Masai do at the deadline? Started trading away picks for vets. Chose to keep Siakam and FVV. None of that suggests any commitment to development. Nurse definitely had his faults too, seems like a bit of a jerk - but Masai bears ultimate responsibility for misalignment between the FO and coaching staff.

You can't blame the coach for not developing young players when you haven't staged the proper environment for developing. SA moved on from older vets like DeRozan, Aldridge and Mills. Sit back and evaluate all you want, but then don't fault the coach for doing whatever it takes to win.

[PushDaRock]

I think Nurse's exit had a lot more to do with discussing his contract situation unprompted right before the playoffs than his actual coaching performance. Questioning your future in your current role is probably not a good way to keep your job.

Nurse is a great coach and I will forever be grateful for 2019, but it was probably best for both sides to split. Nurse probably works best as a coach for a contender than a team re-tooling anyways.

I think it probably ended up working out well for both sides, but the Nurse slander I just don't really get at all.

[sidsid]

I'm happy for Nick, he should absolutely be getting his flowers as a brilliant tactician. The Philly situation is right in his wheelhouse.

I'm also thankful he's as FAR as possible from Scottie. I agree the FO is to blame for the state of the roster, but Nick also stubbornly clung to maximizing on court results (max MPG for starters, Pascal/Fred iso's in the halfcourt) in lieu of a longer-term plan.

Darko is the right coach at the right time for this roster, and it seems coach & FO are finally on the same page. Nearly all of his quotes involve some form of building up the players they have, which at least exposes their ceiling and allows the FO to make informed decisions in transactions.

Semi-related, I loved this quote in the Pistons post-game, which speaks to leaning into Scottie's strengths and mitigating his weaknesses:

Read on Twitter

Darko has smartly moved away from forcing Scottie as a traditional PG in the half-court and leaned into his strengths as kind of a roving "Safety" (football) on the defensive end, which has led to a crazy increase in steals/blocks.

Anyways, the current setup is ideal for a) maximizing Scottie and b) finding out what you actually have in the young guys. I'm happy with that.

It's funny how he'd probably be in the exact perfect role for this team if we didn't make the Jak trade. We're not playing 40 minutes of Precious/Boucher center/hub ball minus Jak, which means Barnes gets the right amount of hub/C touches to go along with the rest of his game.

Had we fired Nurse last year and had Darko institute this offense in the pre-Jak lineup, you don't get a Barnes regression and likely a playmaking leap right off the bat instead. What could have been.

Edit: and a defensive leap too in the right role.

[Dennis 37]

Nothing I stated was anything big brain whatsoever, its typical business management that goes on everyday. Yes, Masai replaced a key employee but he created the entire situation, the head coach is only one aspect. So direct the blame appropriately.

What are you blatheirng about again? Its typcial in business to deal with a problem one way or another, but to fix the issue. The only one not dealing with the issue was the coach, so the solution is the coach gets fired because he refuses to fix it.

I am directing it appropriately, you just don't understand the concept of accountability.

Let the Nurse hate flow! If he was such a bad coach like you thought, Sixers would be struggling. That is the root of the spite displayed here.

Nobody is arguing here that Nurse isn't brilliant with a top tier roster. What we are arguing is that he sucks with a lesser roster.

Obviously Nurse was given directions that development was a priority because that was one of Masai's criticisms. Add to that the selfish play. Who allowed them to play selfishly? Not the FO.

[ItsDanger]

What are you blatheirng about again? Its typcial in business to deal with a problem one way or another, but to fix the issue. The only one not dealing with the issue was the coach, so the solution is the coach gets fired because he refuses to fix it.

I am directing it appropriately, you just don't understand the concept of accountability.

Let the Nurse hate flow! If he was such a bad coach like you thought, Sixers would be struggling. That is the root of the spite displayed here.

Nobody is arguing here that Nurse isn't brilliant with a top tier roster. What we are arguing is that he sucks with a lesser roster.

Obviously Nurse was given directions that development was a priority because that was one of Masai's criticisms. Add to that the selfish play. Who allowed them to play selfishly? Not the FO.

Anyone who wasn't blind knew Nurse was a win now coach. So if you want more development, replace him earlier. Why wait around? Regardless, its on management. Like in all situations, that's their job FFS. The other poster in question wants to place the blame on Nurse instead of management, as par for the course.

[Dennis 37]

Let the Nurse hate flow! If he was such a bad coach like you thought, Sixers would be struggling. That is the root of the spite displayed here.

Nobody is arguing here that Nurse isn't brilliant with a top tier roster. What we are arguing is that he sucks with a lesser roster.

Obviously Nurse was given directions that development was a priority because that was one of Masai's criticisms. Add to that the selfish play. Who allowed them to play selfishly? Not the FO.

Anyone who wasn't blind knew Nurse was a win now coach. So if you want more development, replace him earlier. Why wait around? Regardless, its on management. Like in all situations, that's their job FFS. The other poster in question wants to place the blame on Nurse instead of management, as par for the course.

And others argue that Nurse did what he could with what he was given. So both are wrong. Nurse couldn't do what was needed with what he was given, so you are correct, a decision on him should have come sooner.

[Mascot]

Nobody is arguing here that Nurse isn't brilliant with a top tier roster. What we are arguing is that he sucks with a lesser roster.

Obviously Nurse was given directions that development was a priority because that was one of Masai's criticisms. Add to that the selfish play. Who allowed them to play selfishly? Not the FO.

Anyone who wasn't blind knew Nurse was a win now coach. So if you want more development, replace him earlier. Why wait around? Regardless, its on management. Like in all situations, that's their job FFS. The other poster in question wants to place the blame on Nurse instead of management, as par for the course.

And others argue that Nurse did what he could with what he was given. So both are wrong. Nurse couldn't do what was needed with what he was given, so you are correct, a decision on him should have come sooner.

Nurse was given a crap roster and he did the best he could to win. FO probably wanted him to tank and then he played guys 45 mims a night to try and win. He lost the locker room, and he didnt want to be in TO anymore so parting ways was best for both parties.

[Madvillainy2004]

Anyone who wasn't blind knew Nurse was a win now coach. So if you want more development, replace him earlier. Why wait around? Regardless, its on management. Like in all situations, that's their job FFS. The other poster in question wants to place the blame on Nurse instead of management, as par for the course.

And others argue that Nurse did what he could with what he was given. So both are wrong. Nurse couldn't do what was needed with what he was given, so you are correct, a decision on him should have come sooner.

Nurse was given a crap roster and he did the best he could to win. FO probably wanted him to tank and then he played guys 45 mims a night to try and win. He lost the locker room, and he didnt want to be in TO anymore so parting ways was best for both parties.

They traded a first round pick for Poeltl Masai other than Tampa has literally never tanked. You can't say the FO wanted to tank when every move they've made the past few seasons suggests they want to win.

[Madvillainy2004]

I'm happy for Nick, he should absolutely be getting his flowers as a brilliant tactician. The Philly situation is right in his wheelhouse.

I'm also thankful he's as FAR as possible from Scottie. I agree the FO is to blame for the state of the roster, but Nick also stubbornly clung to maximizing on court results (max MPG for starters, Pascal/Fred iso's in the halfcourt) in lieu of a longer-term plan.

Darko is the right coach at the right time for this roster, and it seems coach & FO are finally on the same page. Nearly all of his quotes involve some form of building up the players they have, which at least exposes their ceiling and allows the FO to make informed decisions in transactions.

Semi-related, I loved this quote in the Pistons post-game, which speaks to leaning into Scottie's strengths and mitigating his weaknesses:

Read on Twitter

Darko has smartly moved away from forcing Scottie as a traditional PG in the half-court and leaned into his strengths as kind of a roving "Safety" (football) on the defensive end, which has led to a crazy increase in steals/blocks.

Anyways, the current setup is ideal for a) maximizing Scottie and b) finding out what you actually have in the young guys. I'm happy with that.

It's funny how he'd probably be in the exact perfect role for this team if we didn't make the Jak trade. We're not playing 40 minutes of Precious/Boucher center/hub ball minus Jak, which means Barnes gets the right amount of hub/C touches to go along with the rest of his game.

Had we fired Nurse last year and had Darko institute this offense in the pre-Jak lineup, you don't get a Barnes regression and likely a playmaking leap right off the bat instead. What could have been.

Edit: and a defensive leap too in the right role.

Is Barnes still shooting sub 30% from 3 last year in this hypothetical? Lol

[Scase]

Happy to see it, Nurse was not the problem. He was handed a dumpster tier roster and expected to make the best of it. Unless we all think that developing Dalano Banton and Malachi Flynn were the priority.

[sidsid]

I'm happy for Nick, he should absolutely be getting his flowers as a brilliant tactician. The Philly situation is right in his wheelhouse.

I'm also thankful he's as FAR as possible from Scottie. I agree the FO is to blame for the state of the roster, but Nick also stubbornly clung to maximizing on court results (max MPG for starters, Pascal/Fred iso's in the halfcourt) in lieu of a longer-term plan.

Darko is the right coach at the right time for this roster, and it seems coach & FO are finally on the same page. Nearly all of his quotes involve some form of building up the players they have, which at least exposes their ceiling and allows the FO to make informed decisions in transactions.

Semi-related, I loved this quote in the Pistons post-game, which speaks to leaning into Scottie's strengths and mitigating his weaknesses:

Read on Twitter

Darko has smartly moved away from forcing Scottie as a traditional PG in the half-court and leaned into his strengths as kind of a roving "Safety" (football) on the defensive end, which has led to a crazy increase in steals/blocks.

Anyways, the current setup is ideal for a) maximizing Scottie and b) finding out what you actually have in the young guys. I'm happy with that.

It's funny how he'd probably be in the exact perfect role for this team if we didn't make the Jak trade. We're not playing 40 minutes of Precious/Boucher center/hub ball minus Jak, which means Barnes gets the right amount of hub/C touches to go along with the rest of his game.

Had we fired Nurse last year and had Darko institute this offense in the pre-Jak lineup, you don't get a Barnes regression and likely a playmaking leap right off the bat instead. What could have been.

Edit: and a defensive leap too in the right role.

Is Barnes still shooting sub 30% from 3 last year in this hypothetical? Lol

Maybe, maybe not. He's not standing somewhere mid-baseline for half a quarter doing nothing and the ball is moving and ending up in his hands more often. His offense isn't starting entirely at a standstill every 3 minutes against a set defense.

With him and Siakam playing C/PF he'd be getting more hub touches for playmaking than he is now with Jak. And he isn't defending pgs, he'd be in his roamer role that he's in now.

What has made Barnes special this year isn't the open 3s he's hitting in front of defenses that still aren't respecting it, which would change his scoring from a 20 to an 18 average. It's that he's having Lowry like impact. He's a connector, a PNR initiator and finisher, a PG driver, a high/low man, etc.

He's breaking out because he is more involved in an offense in multiple roles instead of being told to be KD every 3 minutes while asked to be Davion Mitchell on defense the whole game.

Coaching matters.

[Scase]

It's funny how he'd probably be in the exact perfect role for this team if we didn't make the Jak trade. We're not playing 40 minutes of Precious/Boucher center/hub ball minus Jak, which means Barnes gets the right amount of hub/C touches to go along with the rest of his game.

Had we fired Nurse last year and had Darko institute this offense in the pre-Jak lineup, you don't get a Barnes regression and likely a playmaking leap right off the bat instead. What could have been.

Edit: and a defensive leap too in the right role.

Is Barnes still shooting sub 30% from 3 last year in this hypothetical? Lol

Maybe, maybe not. He's not standing somewhere mid-baseline for half a quarter doing nothing and the ball is moving and ending up in his hands more often. His offense isn't starting entirely at a standstill every 3 minutes against a set defense.

With him and Siakam playing C/PF he'd be getting more hub touches for playmaking than he is now with Jak. And he isn't defending pgs, he'd be in his roamer role that he's in now.

What has made Barnes special this year isn't the open 3s he's hitting in front of defenses that still aren't respecting it, which would change his scoring from a 20 to an 18 average. It's that he's having Lowry like impact. He's a connector, a PNR initiator and finisher, a PG driver, a high/low man, etc.

He's breaking out because he is more involved in an offense in multiple roles instead of being told to be KD every 3 minutes while asked to be Davion Mitchell on defense the whole game.

Coaching matters.

Dude, he averaged 28% last year, and is putting up 39.4% this year. I get that he does a lot of stuff on the court and that is massive, but suggesting sinking 11% more threes while shooting 2 more of them a game isn't what has made his game special this year, that's just bone headed lol.

He's already hit 26 in 12 games, last year he hit 63 in 77. It is MASSIVE to his game, and players absolutely are respecting it and closing out on him more now.

Those 3's account for 6.5ppg, not sure where you are getting the 18ppg to 20ppg numbers from.