Fizdale said in an interview he was not surprised that Nash became a head coach, citing, among other things, Nash’s playing career, his “brilliant basketball mind” and that Nash “has a good pulse on today’s N.B.A.” But Fizdale said he thought there was a double standard for Black assistant coaches. “That’s where I think we have to do better,” Fizdale said. “I think young Black assistants are oftentimes slotted into this category of players’ coach, the communicator, the guy they want to get close to the players so they can put out any fires that may arise, even somewhat befriend them.” He continued, “It’s a delicate dance for a Black coach because the same thing they might ask you to do on your staff when it comes to getting close to players, that can be used against you when it’s time to hire a head coach.”