SPRINGFIELD, MA – SEPTEMBER 07: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2018 enshrinee Steve Nash (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets have hired Steve Nash as their next head coach.
The Brooklyn Nets spent most of the 2019-20 season without the services of both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The Caris LeVert-led team that went into the NBA bubble had some nice moments, but they were pushed aside by the Toronto Raptors in the playoffs. Apparently not willing to take the interim tag off of Jacque Vaughn, the Nets’ went way out of the box when picking their next coach, as Steve Nash will now be in charge of coaching this loaded team in 2020-21.
The 46-year-old Nash, who played with Nets GM Sean Marks for two seasons with the Phoenix Suns, signed a four-year contract to become the team’s next head coach.
Steve Nash could be a great mentor for both young players and veterans on the Nets roster
It’s impossible to question Nash’s credentials as one of the greatest point guards of all time. After starting his career with the Suns, Nash paired with Dirk Nowitzki on the Dallas Mavericks for an exciting six-year stretch. When Mike D’Antoni brought him back to Phoenix in order to help run his “Seven Seconds or Less” offense, Nash became a two-time MVP while leading the league in assists five times in a seven-year span. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2018.
While some might know him for his role as a Champions League studio analyst, Nash has also worked with the Warriors as a player development consultant and as a mentor to players since his retirement. With the Warriors, he and Durant formed a very close relationship. The lack of coaching experience is a big red flag, but one of the smartest players in the league coaching two of the best has the potential to be a massive success.
Kenny Atkinson was performing fine, but it became clear he was rubbing Durant and Irving the wrong way. Considering that Nash, whom KD respects immeasurably, will almost assuredly install an up-tempo, guard-friendly offense to placate Kyrie, this could be a tremendous hire for Brooklyn. However, if Nash needs to take some time to adjust to his new role, it could go up in smoke instantly.