Not long after getting booted out of the playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers took matters into their own hands, axing team president Daryl Morey to end his nearly six-year tenure with the franchise. Be that as it may, the team did not exactly go all-in as they made the decision to keep head coach Nick Nurse, which is probably a lousy choice in the grand scheme of things.
Morey had his faults. In fact, he had lots of them. The longtime executive, long lauded for his ability to manufacture highly competent playoff teams and title contenders, has repeatedly blown it with his reckless moves over the years, especially as of late. However, retaining Nurse is not a good look. The veteran tactician has not been as good as initially hoped for when he first step foot in Philly, yet he seems to have a strong job security as cushion.
The 76ers turned in a successful campaign this season despite what people have been saying. This team outperformed expectations despite having to face numerous, familiar adversities along the way. Having said that, very little of their success can be traced back to Nurse, who has been otherwise unremarable in various aspects for three seasons now.
The 76ers should have fired Nick Nurse together with Daryl Morey
Cutting ties with someone as prominent as Morey signals a huge directional shift, yet it feels half-baked for the simple reason that Nurse is still the man on the sidelines. As such, this all seems like a missed opportunity for the squad to undergo a hard pivot, at least principle-wise.
Nurse's supposedly biggest strength is his in-game management, yet watching the 76ers over the last three campaigns, people would not have generated that kind of inference. This team has had a major issue when it comes to making the right play in crucial moments, and a lot of that has to do with the coach's baffling complacency and unwillingness to veer away from the predictable.
A lot can also be said about his perennial failure to make the most out of his bench. Sure, the 76ers might not have the deepest team in the league, but it is hard to believe that the second and third-unit cogs have been optimized usage-wise. He barely gives them ample court time, often relying on his starters even if they have to overexert themselves.
The Philadelphia 76ers cannot really make a hard pivot this offseason given their muddled payroll, but at the very least, they should have at least gone all-in on making those drastic shifts up top. Keeping Nick Nurse is only counterintuitive to say the least.
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