While basketball players steal most of the thunders in the NBA with their flashy and clutch plays, it is their coach who architects the team’s performance on the hardwood. In a competitive league like the NBA, coaching is an art form that requires a unique blend of strategy, leadership, and adaptability. NBA has benefitted from many talented coaches in the past, but currently making his name in the history book is IOWA-born coach Nick Nurse.
Not only does he embody the above-mentioned qualities, but with his innovative tactics and a penchant for pushing boundaries, Nurse has been a very successful coach in the NBA. With just below the 60%-win ratio in the NBA, the 56-year-old coach made an instant impact on the NBA.
We will go through his career as a head coach and even as an assistant coach, shedding lights on his best performances over the years.
Teams coached by Nick Nurse.
The NBA head coach position is equally competitive as the game itself. Nick Nurse spent about 28 years in different coaching activities before landing his first head coach job. He was part of the NBA’s G-league team’s coaching staff and worked in the UK as an assistant coach for Manchester, Brighton, and London teams. After completing 23 years away from the NBA, Nick Nurse signed for the Toronto Raptors as an assistant coach in 2013.
Toronto Raptors (2018-2023)
He was the Northern team’s assistant coach for 5 seasons working closely with stars like Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Upon the firing of his immediate boss Dwane Carsey, Nick Nurse became the Raptor's head coach in 2018.
It was the most prominent and transformative coaching tenure for Nick Nurse. Following Nick Nurse’s innovative offense and balancing the same with a defence gave the team a massive edge in the games. Completing the first season with 70%-win and topping the Atlantic division, Nick Nurse guided the team to their 1st ever NBA Championship in 2019. Pascal Siakam won the Most Improved Player award under Nick Nurse and Kawhi Leonard went on to win his 2nd finals MVP award.
The departure of Kawhi Leonard did not hamper much in the 2020 regular season, rather they improved to 73%-wins under Nick Nurse. But they could not repeat the 2019 feat and let their star players go in the following offseason. Rise of Siakam and Fred VanVleet is mainly credited to Nick Nurse’s development program
Currently signing with another Eastern powerhouse, the Philadelphia 76ers, Nick Nurse will look to add to his championship tally. He has prime Joel Embiid and developing Tyrese Maxey under his wings, which prove devastating for their opponents.
FAQs
A. As a head coach, Nick Nurse completed 5 years in the NBA.
A. Currently signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, Nick Nurse has only worked with the Toronto Raptors in the NBA.
A. Nick Nurse won one, the 2019 NBA Championship with the Toronto Raptors.
A. Nick Nurse had 2020 as the best season with a 74%-win percentage.
A. Nick Nurse averages 58.5%-win ratio in the NBA.
