The Philadelphia 76ers have had a lengthy coaching search to replace Doc Rivers after his three seasons on the job. Rivers went 154-82, but the Sixers fell in the second round of the playoffs three seasons in a row and it was time for a replacement.
To replace Rivers, the Sixers have hired Nick Nurse. The former head coach of the Toronto Raptors won a title in 2019, and he kept the Raptors competitive after Kawhi Leonard left. He has a career record of 227-163.
ESPN Sources: Nick Nurse has reached an agreement to become the next coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. Nurse — who won an NBA championship and a coach of year award with Toronto — now gets to coach the 2023 MVP Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/SrsXhzx7Y3
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 29, 2023
Nurse is a brilliant head coach and tactician. Toronto was a top defensive team under his guidance and the Sixers promise to be one of the best in the 2023-24 season under him. One has to wonder if James Harden will be here, but if he isn’t, Nurse will find a way to make the Sixers an elite team.