The Toronto Raptors have made a big move in the post-season, parting ways with coach Nick Nurse. Nurse coached the Raptors to the franchise’s first NBA title in 2019.
ESPN has reported that Nurse and Raptors president Masai Ujiri have met several time in the past few days before coming to the decision on Friday. This season, Toronto finished with 41-41, losing to the Chicago Bulls in the 9-10 game of the Easter Conference play-in tournament. The Raptors blew a 19-point lead in the third quarter, later leading to their loss to the Bulls.
In a news conference, Ujiri said, “To watch us play this year was not us. I did not enjoy watching this team play. I think that spoke loud and clear to everything that went on this year. It bothered all of us. It bothered Coach too, but sometimes we have to make change and we have to move forward.” Ujiri also added, “The feel, the spirit of who we really are, it’s been very disappointing for us. We want to gain momentum back as a team. Togetherness, culture, all the things we’ve stood for here, I think we lacked this year.”
According to sources close to Nurse and the organization, the coach had just one more year and more than $8 million USD left on his contract. Ime Udoka is said to be a contender to take his place. He was suspended by the Boston Celtics before the start of the 2022-23 season and was replaced by Joe Mazzulla. Nurse has been named the 2020 NBA Coach of the Year and leaves the Raptors organization with a 227-163 (.582) record in five seasons as coach.
In other sports news, Jordan Brand releases a “Fadeaway” golf bag.
