Learn more about Nick Nurse - Casey's offensive specialist?

[DeadHorse]

Toronto Raptors: Where even our coaches are D-League call-ups.

jk, he looks like a "make something out of nothing" kind of guy... which is just what we need

[Indeed]

His philosophy is that if you can rebound the ball and handle it in the open court you can get out and go. That explains why his teams have been top 2 in pace for 6 years in a row.

Houston worked closely with Rio Grand Rapids from the sounds of it and Nurse tried to coach the same 4 and out style that the Rockets run in the NBA. It's hard to tell if that's his preferred style or just what he wanted to run/was told to run to better prep these guys for Houston basketball. It's safe to say he's not strict on traditional positions like most 4 and out coaches aren't (Playing Parsons as a stretch 4 for example to increase spacing and versatility). That system is all about creating passing lanes near the ball, and keeping the defence honest away from the ball with a lot of movement. I suspect we'll see more corner 3s again as we used to under Triano-ball. Especially when Jonas goes to work on either block.

His teams have been consistent ORTG leaders (despite lots of roster turnover and NBA call-ups) so he's clearly good at putting his stamp on a team which is obviously why he's getting this opportunity.

Some questions I'm now wondering:

- Was he just coaching the way McHale wanted him to to prep for McHale's preferred style? His best friend (Chris Finch -- Hilarious since that's also David Brent's best friend, I believe) also coached under McHale.

- Are the Raptors thinking about utilizing Rudy Gay the same way Houston utilized Chandler Parsons as an occasional stretch 4? Is that why he bulked up?

- Is this also why Quincy Acy has been working so hard on his jump shot and perimeter defence? Do they see him primarily as a stretch 4 that can also attack the glass?

- If Masai is interested in seeing Rudy Gay play that kind of role then who does he see as the team's primary ball handler? Lowry? Derozan? An unknown trade target?

- If we were to truly emulate Houston's offensive approach would that decrease the chances of us targeting some of the big name PFs that some Raptors fans have thrown around? Does it put more of an emphasis on Maasi trying to land an Andre Iguodala or Tyreke Evans type of talent who can attack and pass?

- Will Nurse help us make better use of the NBADL? He knows what works best and what doesn't and will be able to work with coaches down there. Will he push Tim Leiweke to secure a full-time devoted affiliate?

Here's more on Houston's offence:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nb ... n/1949915/

Here's a quote where Nurse discusses the same:

“We kind of run a system where if you can handle it in the open floor and grab it off the glass you can bring it. We run a four out system, so you have to find the opening and which spot isn’t filled. It doesn’t matter if you’re a corner, wing or trail man. So he can fit in with that, we want to keep the ball in his hands. He delivers a lot of passes. The best way to do that is for him to rebound and bring it. I think that will showcase his talents the best.”

Thanks for the information. I was searching about this, but came up short.
I think more than offensive strategy, he may help in young player development. I am looking forward for the upcoming draft. I think we will look for someone who can fit into this.

[Zeno]

Sorry if this has been mentioned but Glen Rice Jr. played under Nurse in the D-league. Possible target late in the 1st round I guess. Another young shooter off the bench to pair with Ross.

[junot111]

he's gonna let Casey pound the rock

[Rap4Life_J]

Definitely Casey needs help on Offensive game. I do think Raptors should hire extra Coach to run the offensive game, and Casey run the defensive game. Then, to algin how to rotation to overcome the best result.

Casey is not going to bring us any further, but he is not going to totally tank for us. For sure, Casey would like to force the team to have more wins, since it is his career and he will not ruin it for his future. He for sure not to tank the team, but forcing to win as many games as he could. With our current roster, we need to play harder to increase our player values. I think that is MU's current strategy to improve the team values, by maximize the player's ability. Since our players have more values, then we can get back more values through the Trades & Free Agency.

We are no looking to tank next season just to get Wiggins. But I could see we will be able to lure him to play for us after 4 years, where he would like to represent Toronto to play for. Stay tune in 4 years later, we will be a championship team very soon!

[MEDIC]

Here's what I don't get.

Casey is a defensive minded coach & has done his best defensive work here at a slower pace. Also.....our top prospect is a C.

Why are we hiring an assistant that is a specialist in a fast pace run & gun style offense? That's not the direction this team should be heading.

Why not hire a guy that is an offensive specialist in a half court/ grind it out style game? That way we can focus primarily on defense & get our points in a half court setting (taking the opportunity to push the ball when available).

Indiana & Memphis were in the lower half of the league in terms of PPG.

Indiana was tied with Chicago at 26th in the league for Pace.

Memphis was 29th in the league for Pace.

[Spacing]

Here's what I don't get.

Casey is a defensive minded coach & has done his best defensive work here at a slower pace. Also.....our top prospect is a C.

Why are we hiring an assistant that is a specialist in a fast pace run & gun style offense? That's not the direction this team should be heading.

Why not hire a guy that is an offensive specialist in a half court/ grind it out style game? That way we can focus primarily on defense & get our points in a half court setting (taking the opportunity to push the ball when available).

Indiana & Memphis were in the lower half of the league in terms of PPG.

Indiana was tied with Chicago at 26th in the league for Pace.

Memphis was 29th in the league for Pace.

Are you one of those people that drank the BC Kool-Aid and truly believe this is a defensive team?

[MEDIC]

Are you one of those people that drank the BC Kool-Aid and truly believe this is a defensive team?

It has nothing to do with BC.

I've wanted a defensive minded team well before BC was ever here.

This team simply isn't talented enough to go with a high octane offense like the spurs did this season. If we want to be anything significant, we have to become a top 10 defensive team at minimum.

[martypython]

Are you one of those people that drank the BC Kool-Aid and truly believe this is a defensive team?

It has nothing to do with BC.

I've wanted a defensive minded team well before BC was ever here.

This team simply isn't talented enough to go with a high octane offense like the spurs did this season. If we want to be anything significant, we have to become a top 10 defensive team at minimum.

Spurs offense has more to do with crisp passing and misdirection. A guy like Javale McGee would ruin the entire offense. Raptors are much more athletic, they have the ability to run down the court and score on fast breaks. At the same time,their IQ isn't there and they're not exceptional passers.

Not grind them out, but create turnovers using length and position.

[Indeed]

Here's what I don't get.

Casey is a defensive minded coach & has done his best defensive work here at a slower pace. Also.....our top prospect is a C.

Why are we hiring an assistant that is a specialist in a fast pace run & gun style offense? That's not the direction this team should be heading.

Why not hire a guy that is an offensive specialist in a half court/ grind it out style game? That way we can focus primarily on defense & get our points in a half court setting (taking the opportunity to push the ball when available).

Indiana & Memphis were in the lower half of the league in terms of PPG.

Indiana was tied with Chicago at 26th in the league for Pace.

Memphis was 29th in the league for Pace.

Casey was the defensive coach of the Dallas, I don't think he minds a fast pace team. He encourages our player to run, but he knows we suck at perimeter defense (pretty obvious, imo).

If Casey can focus on perimeter defense next season, I think our team can run. Assume everyone is back, Bargnani needs to improve his odd man situation, DeRozan needs to stop ball, Jonas needs to make careful passes.

The worst thing I see for the team is inbound pass. No pick set/use, only Bargnani will set a pick, while Jonas just run out, but failed to realized the length of NBA players. Lowry failed to get open a few times, and we have no other ball handler as a backup. Pretty horrible, imo.

[ghuytro]

That system is all about creating passing lanes near the ball, and keeping the defence honest away from the ball with a lot of movement. I suspect we'll see more corner 3s again as we used to under Triano-ball. Especially when Jonas goes to work on either block.

What kind of heresy is this. Don't you know players are supposed to stand around on offense in order to conserve energy - preferably with their hands on the bottom of their shorts.

[Spacing]

Are you one of those people that drank the BC Kool-Aid and truly believe this is a defensive team?

It has nothing to do with BC.

I've wanted a defensive minded team well before BC was ever here.

This team simply isn't talented enough to go with a high octane offense like the spurs did this season. If we want to be anything significant, we have to become a top 10 defensive team at minimum.

I kind of feel we need to mix in the two together. Try to play hard nose defense in the half court and run in the fast break off turnovers. My issue with becoming a half court team is that we don't have good passers and without good passers you are going to see A LOT of hero ball.

[tsherkin]

Great read, thanks DH!

Encouraging stuff. Casey not running the offense is really good for our prospects as a team, since DC does at least seem to know how to coach defense when he has some defensive talent. Good mix.

[Undefeated]

The Nuggets played this type of offense as well when they went small with Iggy and Wilson Chandler in the front court. Watching the Nuggets and Rockets this past year I think this is a great offense that would fit the Raptors with the "rip-and-go" instead of stalling the offense to give the ball to the primary ball-handler to bring the ball up because not only do they have capable athletes that can generate highlight reels, but once the fast break is stopped it allows them to flow into their secondary break and into the their half-court offense easier and I can guarantee a mismatch will be created with the defense scrambling trying to locate their man early in the shot clock. Seeing that Rudy and DeMar are excellent post scorers for their position it's going to be too easy for them when this happens. It's also a great way to hide the lack of 3-point shooting because a way to space the floor is standing out of bounds making the court appear bigger than it is playing 4-on-4 and you can use this tactic early in the clock. Amir and Jonas would benefit this too since they're great at ducking in at the last second for a drop off pass for the dunk.

More importantly I think it allows the players to make plays on the ball a bit easier because of how things flow rather than giving them ball forcing them to make a play off the dribble with the defense set. It's not something too complicated that they will have trouble reacting or reading. Just simple stuff that flows one to another that I expect them they can dissect.

[Mediocrity]

Seems like a very good hire. I think that we should see a big jump in defensive numbers this year with Casey being able to forgo offence-duties.

[Warlock]

Pretty crazy if he actually gets hired and down the line actually became our head coach seeing as though he was the coach of my local British league team over here a long time ago.

[LLJ]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWAw353EfJI[/youtube]

[Indeed]

The Nuggets played this type of offense as well when they went small with Iggy and Wilson Chandler in the front court. Watching the Nuggets and Rockets this past year I think this is a great offense that would fit the Raptors with the "rip-and-go" instead of stalling the offense to give the ball to the primary ball-handler to bring the ball up because not only do they have capable athletes that can generate highlight reels, but once the fast break is stopped it allows them to flow into their secondary break and into the their half-court offense easier and I can guarantee a mismatch will be created with the defense scrambling trying to locate their man early in the shot clock. Seeing that Rudy and DeMar are excellent post scorers for their position it's going to be too easy for them when this happens. It's also a great way to hide the lack of 3-point shooting because a way to space the floor is standing out of bounds making the court appear bigger than it is playing 4-on-4 and you can use this tactic early in the clock. Amir and Jonas would benefit this too since they're great at ducking in at the last second for a drop off pass for the dunk.

More importantly I think it allows the players to make plays on the ball a bit easier because of how things flow rather than giving them ball forcing them to make a play off the dribble with the defense set. It's not something too complicated that they will have trouble reacting or reading. Just simple stuff that flows one to another that I expect them they can dissect.

That kind of offense is great, but would it go far into the playoffs? Relying on transition defense against sub .500 teams are good, but top .500 teams are often with good perimeter defense.

There are two type of top .500 teams in the East:
1) Go big
- Pacers, Nets, Celtics, Wizzards, Bulls, Bucks
2) Dynamic SF
- Knicks, Heats, Hawks

I prefer to go Big

[David-Kornel]

But, but, but, but the source for Nurse's hiring is Le Doug and here's his quote from his article last Friday:

"But whatever happens is going to happen soon; I’m thinking we have total resolution on the three vacancies by Wednesday".

[carl_english]

Giving this a bump with confirmation.

Ryan Wolstat: As @Matt Moore mentioned, Nick Nurse will be joining Raptors as assistant coach. He will be in charge of offence. Highly regarded Twitter @WolstatSun

This spells the end of Casey ball.