Is the 76ers Head Coach's Future Looking Bleak?
Coach Nick Nurse is entering his eighth season as an NBA head coach and 13th season as a coach in the NBA. He started off his career as an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors back in 2013-14. Nurse continued that trend up until the 2018-19 season, when he was hired to become their head coach. Now, that first year was a game-changer as a blockbuster trade happened that helped save Toronto’s season. Trading a nine-year vet, at the time, DeMar DeRozan, to the Spurs for Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard in the offseason.
That offseason move helped Toronto become a bigger threat in the playoffs. No disrespect to Deebo, but the Raptors did what needed to be done for a ring. Already housing guys like Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol, and Most Improved Player Pascal Siakam, the team was set for a deep playoff run. Dominating the seventh-seeded Orlando Magic squad in five games. A four-bounce shot from Leonard that sent the Sixers packing in seven games. Besting the first-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in six games and finally, destroying the Warriors' hopes of securing a three-peat by taking home the Larry O’Brien Trophy in six games. Nurse would spend four more seasons in Toronto before being fired in 2023, as a new start was needed for the young core. Nurse then found a home in Philly to continue his coaching career, alongside the six-time all-star, who will possibly finish out his career in Philly.
So far, he has had four out of seven seasons on a win percentage higher than 50%. Those four games were three in Toronto and his first year in Philly. Now, the 2020 Coach of the Year is entering his third season with the Sixers as their head coach. There have already been speculations on whether Nurse should be kept or let go, following the disastrous season from last year. He has been unable to go deep into the playoffs, making a first-round exit in his first year in Philly. With that in mind, the speculations regarding Nurse’s job security are fair to talk about. However, regarding the 2024-25 season, the blame should not all fall on Nurse, as he has done the best he can, utilizing whoever is available. His future may look bleak, but he should not be too worried about his job security. Nurse has things to look forward to, with the most important being getting a healthier roster, who’s raring to make some noise in the Eastern Conference. All eyes will be not just on the head coach, but also the core trio of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George.
