Earlier this week the Brooklyn Nets hired former MVP and Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash as their new head coach. Nash will be taking over a team with two MVP caliber players in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Nash has never coached a game at a high level, receiving an unusual invite from the Nets. Here are some Pro’s and Con’s to the hire.
Pros
Steve Nash can turn his high IQ from the court to the sideline
Nash was a prodigy on the floor, as he was the best floor general rivaling Tony Parker and Chris Paul in his prime. His sense of being able to spread the floor should correlate into a fast paced offense that suits this day in the age of basketball.
The Brooklyn Nets had done this before
This is not the first time the Nets have taken a Hall of Fame point guard as their coach. Especially soon after their retirement. In 2013, Jason Kidd was hired right after his retirement to coach a veteran heavy team to the playoffs. Although his time with the Nets was shaky, his coaching career has yet to be considered a bust.
Nash is Irving’s godfather, and he played with Sean Marks
Nash has known Irving since his birth, and that alone is a deep connection between the two. Having great chemistry between a star player and a coach is vital to a contending team. Such as Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr, and Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson. Nash also has a connection with the front office with Marks. The two had played two seasons together in Phoenix. Thus meaning Marks had the time and awareness of Nash’s IQ during practices, on the bench, and in the game.
Cons
No coaching experience
Nash has never coached at a high level. After retiring in 2015, he became a part-time player consultant for Golden State. Although he worked with developing a handful of players after his playing days he never had a chance to take his on-court leadership onto the sidelines.
The Nets needed a Coach who has a record of winning
Nash has never been to the Finals. Although he has been to the playoffs multiple times with both the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers. Nash’s inexperience will prove vital if the team tries to make a deep playoff run.
Clashing Personalities
Brooklyn has two superstars. Both Durant and Irving are loud personalities as of late and could be troublesome for the rookie coach. Nash had played for a team that has two big personalities in Los Angeles with Kobe and Dwight Howard. Nash saw himself slide behind the two, very rarely out-speaking his voice. This could lead to a Tyrone Lue situation, where he faded out of the team voice when LeBron James spoke.
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