The Toronto Raptors have fired their coach, Nick Nurse, who had previously led them to their first and only NBA championship in 2019.
This decision came after five seasons with the Raptors, during which he achieved a .582 winning percentage – the best of any coach in franchise history. The decision was made after the Raptors missed the playoffs in 2021, lost in the first round in 2022, and were eliminated in the play-in tournament this year.
Raptors President Masai Ujiri explained that the team’s decision to let go of Nick Nurse was a chance for them to reset, refocus and build a team that can help them win their next championship.
Nurse’s Legacy
Nurse was with the Raptors for a total of ten seasons, the first five as an assistant coach. He is regarded as one of the most successful coaches in Raptors history. In addition to leading the team to its first championship, he achieved the second-best winning percentage in the league during his tenure, just behind the Golden State Warriors.
Nurse, who played at Northern Iowa, began his coaching career there as an assistant before becoming a head coach at Grand View University when he was only 23. He coached in Belgium and Britain, where he won a pair of British Basketball League titles in 1996 and 2000, respectively. He then got a couple of titles in what is now called the G League.
Udoka as the Potential Replacement
As for the replacement, the Raptors are considering several candidates, and Ime Udoka, the former Boston Celtics coach, is among them. Udoka, who led the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season, has been close with Ujiri for years. However, Udoka was suspended for this season after the disclosure of an inappropriate relationship with a female Celtics employee.
Nurse’s Future
Despite his dismissal, Nurse is expected to be considered for other NBA coaching openings. He has won everywhere he has been, and his success with the Raptors will make him an attractive candidate for other teams. However, Nurse suggested in March that he might take some time after the season to decide his own future.
The firing of Nick Nurse is a significant development for the Toronto Raptors. He is one of the most successful coaches in the team’s history and led the Raptors to their first NBA championship.
While the decision was not taken lightly, the Raptors are hoping that this move will help them reset and refocus on winning their next championship. With Ime Udoka among the candidates for the head coaching job, it will be interesting to see who the Raptors choose to lead them into the future.
