The Brooklyn Nets sent the NBA world into a frenzy when they signed Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash to be the team’s next head coach.
Nash, 46, worked as a player development coach for the Golden State Warriors and has ties to Nets star forward Kevin Durant.
NBA Twitter exploded following the news that the two-time MVP would be taking over in Brooklyn.
Not many things in the NBA would get me to say “holy sh**”
The Steve Nash hiring just did
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 3, 2020
Nets hiring Steve Nash is biggest stealth coaching hire since Danny Ainge hired Brad Stevens.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) September 3, 2020
Steve Nash coaching the Nets came out of nowhere. That's wild. And Jacque Vaughn is staying on to assist him? This is going to be really interesting.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) September 3, 2020
Soooo Steve Nash is the new head coach of the @BrooklynNets … glad I have my season tickets.
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) September 3, 2020
The Nets reportedly had their eyes on Nash for a while and made the decision to hire him in May.
I’m told Brooklyn’s decision to hire Steve Nash was made in May.
Team discussed a few options as early as March, including Gregg Popovich. #Nets
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) September 3, 2020
He joins a long list of point guards that have gotten head coaching jobs without much coaching experience.
There's a modern history of retired guards getting head coaching jobs without stints as assistant coaches, including Doc Rivers (Magic), Isiah Thomas (Pacers), Mark Jackson and Steve Kerr (Warriors) and Jason Kidd (Nets).
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 3, 2020
While some have praised the hire, there have been some mixed reviews as well.
Imagine working as an assistant coach in the NBA for years, waiting for an opportunity then BOOM, Steve Nash swoops in out of nowhere with no coaching experience and takes over a team with two legit superstars.
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) September 3, 2020
Jason Kidd seeing Steve Nash get a head coaching job pic.twitter.com/uOgw0Zem2x
— 🗝️ (@NotAPhilsFan) September 3, 2020
Serious question: what does being KDs player development coach look like and do any of those skills translate to coaching him and 11 others to a title https://t.co/62HWWMc1cU
— Trill Withers (@TylerIAm) September 3, 2020
The Nets were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs this season.
However, the team will have Durant and Kyrie Irving back for next season and will immediately be considered one of the best teams in the NBA.
