THE NBA has always been about star players. From the beginning, teams have built rosters trying to attract stars and keep them.
One of the most interesting teams of recent times is the Brooklyn Nets, which featured a powerhouse trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. The team hired former star point guard Steve Nash as their head coach, partly because of the desire for star players.
When the three players met, many thought they would win a title. But instead, the Nets were treated to nothing but tough times.
Photograph by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images
Brooklyn never made it past the second round of the playoffs in the two seasons the three played together. Nash was then fired after just over two years with the team.
He has been criticized for some of Brooklyn’s problems, but Nash has done what he can in the face of all the controversy surrounding the team. While in Slovenia for Goran Dragic’s farewell game, Nash opened up about his time in Brooklyn.
“Coaching was a great experience,” Nash said, by Cesare Milanti of Eurohoops“I didn’t want to be a career coach. I don’t think coaching was going to be my career. I coach my kids, I teach them about life. I’ve earned the ability to choose, and it’s rewarding. There are always projects, affiliates, and partnerships. I always have something to do. I focus on my family.”
Based on the way Nash spoke, his coaching career may be over. He finished his Nets career with a 94-67 regular season record and 7-9 playoff record.
The former league MVP said coaching was never in his plans. However, he was offered the opportunity to coach multiple All-Stars, making the Brooklyn job hard to turn down.
“I didn’t plan on becoming a coach, there was a unique situation in Brooklyn that was knocking on my door. It was a quick transition. You have to deal with a different dynamic. A lot of it is managing the personalities, between the front office, the players and the agents. That’s a big part of my job. All the dynamics, the personalities and the power that players have today,” he said.
Given the way things turned out in Brooklyn, Nash’s time as coach will be seen as a failure. He was tasked with helping the organization win a title and the Nets failed to do so, even if not everything was handed to Nash.
If Nash did indeed end his career on the bench, at least he can say he tried. Coaching isn’t for everyone, and Nash might be better off excelling in other areas after his playing career.
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