Nick Nurse, current Philadelphia 76ers head coach, talks about coaching Kawhi Leonard and facing Steph Curry in the Finals. They discuss if the NBA season should be shortened and the challenges of coaching Joel Embiid. Nurse reflects on his coaching journey and the Raptors' quest to overcome LeBron James.
Transitioning from D-League to NBA attracts attention.
Importance of complementary players to elevate team performance.
Deep dives
Growing from Coaching Experience in Different Leagues
Coach Nurse reflects on his coaching journey from small college to coaching in various leagues and emphasizes the importance of gaining head coaching experience early to develop crucial skills.
Coach Nurse shares his brief yet lucrative experience as an associate head coach at Iowa State and his decision to return to the Iowa Energy, where they won their first D-League championship in just four days.
Transition to NBA Coaching via G-League Experience
Coach Nurse discusses his transition from coaching in the D-League with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to joining the Toronto Raptors, highlighting the impact of showcasing talent like Glenn Rice Jr. in attracting attention from NBA teams.
Challenges of Facing LeBron in NBA Playoffs
Reflecting on the Toronto Raptors' playoff battles against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Coach Nurse shares the team's excitement at becoming a playoff contender and the frustrations of strategizing to overcome the Cavs' dominance.
Impacting Player Development with Winning Experience
Coach Nurse emphasizes the importance of complementing star players like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey with individuals who bring winning experience, winning spirit, and an unwavering commitment to their roles to elevate the team's performance on the court.
Current Philadelphia 76ers head coach, and former head coach of the Toronto Raptors, Nick Nurse joins Draymond Green to discuss his road to the NBA, the Toronto Raptors trying to get over the hump against LeBron James years ago, what it was like coaching Kawhi Leonard and then watching him leave Toronto after winning the NBA Finals in 2019, why Kyle Lowry is the GOAT Raptor, how the Raptors defended Steph Curry five years ago to win a title, what it’s like coaching Joel Embiid these days, if the NBA should shorten the season, and much more.