Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement that Nash “faced many unprecedented challenges,” and the Nets “deeply thank him for his leadership, perseverance and humility during his tenure.” there are,” he said.
At a press conference later Tuesday, Marks revealed that Nash had concluded the Nets were no longer responding to his coaching, and the two men agreed it was “time to make a change.” Marks said he wasn’t asking for player input during the move.
“Frankly, the team wasn’t doing what it should have been,” Marks said. “We were off target. There have been times when we’ve been stripped, half stripped, game stripped, and never competed.”
The Nets have begun searching for exiled Boston Celtics manager Ime Udoka to replace Nash, according to two people familiar with the matter. Marks said Tuesday that the Nets have “definitely not decided” on Nash’s successor, calling him “competitive, vocal and able to hold accountable” while also being “possessed and charismatic.” He added that he would target the most qualified candidates.
Udoka was suspended for the season by the Celtics in September for having an inappropriate relationship with a female team staff member. Udoka, 45, said she was an assistant her coach for USA Basketball at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, led Nets forward Kevin Durant’s effort to win a gold medal, and that she was Nash’s midfielder during the 2020-21 season. Worked as a staff assistant. With assistant Joe Mazura replacing Udoka on an interim basis, Boston isn’t expected to block Udoka if the Nets offer him a job.
After a tumultuous summer in which Durant requested a trade, Brooklyn started the season with a 2-5 record and boasts the 29th-best defense in the NBA. His first two weeks of the season were filled with warning signs. Ben Simmons lashed out at the referee after his two fouls in his first three games. He was caught on the courtside mic yelling at Simmons to shoot the ball.
Meanwhile, Irving drew a lot of criticism last week after posting on social media about an anti-Semitic film. The NBA, the National Basketball Players Association, the Nets, and owner Tsai Tsai each accused Irving in separate statements, but the All-Star guard refused to apologize in a heated exchange with reporters after the game on Saturday. Irving, who was eventually removed, has yet to be punished by the NBA or the Nets, but he stood by the line of fans seated courtside in a “Fight antisemitism” T-shirt during Monday’s win over the Indiana Pacers. was greeted in Brooklyn. This latest story follows a season-long ordeal surrounding Irving’s refusal to receive a coronavirus vaccination.
When asked about the backlash to Irving’s post, Marks said, “I’m not proud of the situation we’re in. I want to go back to basketball. There is no room for anti-Semitic remarks.”
Tsai and Marks spent the summer promising to change Brooklyn’s dysfunctional culture after a humiliating first-round series sweep against the Celtics. He backed Nash in August after reports that he was out of the league, but the Hall of Fame point guard still entered the season in a hot seat as Brooklyn’s unresolved cultural issues and internal accountability needs to be addressed. rice field.
Known for his easy-going off-court personality, Nash was hired in 2020 as a player-friendly replacement for Atkinson, who was seen as a disciplinarian. Brooklyn envisioned his two-time MVP overseeing a free-flowing offense that made the most of Durant and Irving’s skills. Plans were put together in his first season when the Nets traded James Harden to boast the best offense in the NBA and reach the conference semifinals.
In the process, Nash has proven willing to yield important coaching decisions, such as how many minutes his star played in a postseason game, even with an injury. Solidifying his reputation for succumbing to the whims of the star, he allowed Irving, who was ineligible to play in New York City due to local vaccine mandates, to return as a part-time player. Forced to adjust, Irving’s inconsistent presence contributed to Harden’s desire to seek a trade to the Philadelphia 76ers in February.
Nash was thus left without his best playmaker, and Harden’s replacement, Simmons, was a shell of himself after back surgery and a season-long mental health absence. The Nets offense has slipped to 16th place this season, lacking the pace and ball movement needed to make Brooklyn a top contender. The Nets are on the same path or worse than last year, and they had every incentive to make Nash the first coach to be fired this season.
“I met Steve while in Brooklyn and he was not one to shy away from a challenge,” Tsai said in a statement. “My admiration and respect for him has only grown over time as he brought hard work and a positive attitude to our organization every day, even during an extraordinary stormy period surrounding the team. ”
Nash retired in 2014 after an 18-year career and dabbled in player development and football commentary before being hired by the Nets. His hiring drew criticism because he received a Plumgig (a big-market team with superstar talent) without paying his dues as an assistant coach. However, he claimed his playing experience helped him connect with players.
“It has been a great experience with many challenges and I am very grateful for it.” Nash said in a statement“I wish the Nets success all over the world. Nash will be rooting for our team as it turns around this season.”
