The Philadelphia 76ers have lost in the second round of playoffs in five of the last six seasons. It seems fans are losing more and more confidence in Joel Embiid’s “Trust the Process” reference. Here at Game-Time Sharks Philadelphia, we’ll look at the 76ers’ new head coach and what this means going forward.
The Philadelphia 76ers have many question marks heading into next season. After another heartbreaking finish to the season, the Sixers are moving on from head coach Doc Rivers. Rivers’ tenure with Philly included three trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals, all resulting in losses.
The final straw was the most recent loss to the Celtics, as the Sixers could not take advantage of a 3-2 series lead.
According to reports, James Harden intends to decline his $35.6 million player option with the Sixers. Word around the league is that Harden is looking to reunite with the Houston Rockets or search for a long-term deal with a competitive team.
After so many losing seasons and top picks in the NBA Draft over the years, not making it over that hump is frustrating for 76ers fans.
Who is Nick Nurse?
The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to terms with Nick Nurse to become the Sixers’ next head coach.
Officially Official.
Your new coach: pic.twitter.com/Mf9donYQ65
— Sixers Nation (@PHLSixersNation) May 29, 2023
Many were surprised when the Toronto Raptors fired Nick Nurse back in April of this year after a record of 41-41. The Raptors were not able to muster their way into the playoffs as the Bulls sent them home in the play-in tournament.
Nick Nurse spent five seasons as the assistant coach of the Raptors before getting the head coaching job in 2018.
Not only did Nurse have a win percentage of .582 in his five seasons as head coach of the Raps. But in 2019, Nurse and the Toronto Raptors went on to win their first NBA championship together. Nurse then went on to win NBA Coach of the Year in 2020.
With the 76ers having faced off with the Raptors in the playoffs in 2019 and 2022, we know what Nurse brings to the table as a coach. Nurse’s defensive schemes aim to neutralize the other team’s star player. Joel Embiid can tell you all about that as he has averaged just 21.5 points in 13 career playoff games against Nurse’s Raptors.
There is also some familiarity with this situation as well. Nick Nurse and Daryl Morey used to work together back in Houston. While Morey was serving as the GM of the Houston Rockets, Nurse was the head coach of their G-League team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. In 2013, Nurse led Vipers to an NBA G-League title.
The Sixers are off to a great start to the offseason, landing one of the most sought out coaches on the market.
