The Brooklyn Nets and Head Coach Steve Nash have agreed to part ways, the team announced Tuesday.
A decision regarding the team’s next head coach will be made in the near future.
“We want to thank Steve for everything he brought to our franchise over the past two-plus seasons,” said General Manager Sean Marks. “Since becoming head coach, Steve was faced with a number of unprecedented challenges, and we are sincerely grateful for his leadership, patience and humility throughout his tenure. Personally, this was an immensely difficult decision; however, after much deliberation and evaluation of how the season has begun, we agreed that a change is necessary at this time. We wish Steve, Lilla and their family all the best in the future.”
Via the New York Post:
From Kevin Durant asking for his firing, to Kyrie Irving refusing to get vaccinated to most recently, Irving’s retweet of an anti-Semitic film and subsequent lack of discipline, Nash seemed overwhelmed and unable to handle his star players.
Nash, the team’s coach since 2020, was the subject of a request for termination from Durant over the summer. The star forward also requested general manager Sean Marks be let go. But the situation was said to have been smoothed over, as Durant withdrew his trade request when it became clear that no other team could match what the Nets were asking for him.
Brooklyn Nets Governor Joe Tsai said, “I’ve gotten to know Steve during his time in Brooklyn, and he is not one to shy away from challenges. My admiration and respect for him grew over time as he brought hard work and positive attitude to our organization every day, even in periods of exceptional storm surrounding the team. Clara and I want to thank Steve, Lilla and their family for making this extraordinary commitment. We began this journey as colleagues, we part as friends.”
More from the Post:
“Zero. There was zero input from any of the players on this,” Marks said. “This was a decision that we didn’t need that. Steve and I didn’t need that. Obviously I’ve talked to Joe [Tsai] about this, but the players were not consulted. They were told ahead of time that this was the direction we were going to [Tuesday], but I don’t think we needed that input right now.”
Marks insisted Nash and the coaches had done a good job through the summer, and claimed the players were putting in the work. But with the Nets just a game clear of last place in the East, Marks had no choice but to concede: “It just wasn’t panning out on the court. And whether it was a voice in the locker room, a change needed, I can list the distractions.”
