CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers moved on from Doc Rivers after three seasons on the job even though he won 154 games and guided the team to a great deal of success. However, it didn’t translate in the playoffs; they were ousted in the conference semifinals in all three seasons under Rivers.
To replace Rivers, the Sixers hired Nick Nurse. The Toronto Raptors moved on from Nurse after four seasons and a 227-163 record. He guided the Raptors to a title in 2019 in his first season at the helm.
Philadelphia President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey has a relationship with Nurse from their time together with the Houston Rockets. He explained why he thought Nurse was the right guy to replace Rivers.
“Obviously, a championship pedigree at multiple levels is a big factor,” Morey explained. “His creativity, the fact that a partner in how to create results I think is a big factor. He checks every box. Relationships with players, working with star players, tactics, someone that people wanna play for, it’s a pretty long list, and we thought he was a pretty special candidate.”
The Sixers feel as if Nurse is the right guy to lead them to a championship. He did a really solid job in Toronto and now, the challenge is to bring that experience and pedigree to the City of Brotherly Love.
“I appreciate Josh (Harris) and David (Blitzer) giving us the resources to help make it happen,” Morey finished. “This is just one step toward a championship, but we think it’s an important step.”
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