For two consecutive seasons, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse has managed a patchwork roster thanks to a slew of injuries. Although the shortage of available players wrecked the Sixers' hopes for the season, it also kept the front office from scrutinizing Nurse’s job too closely. With Paul George back from his 25-game suspension on March 25, the head coach's grace period is wrapping up, and the 76ers need to start climbing the Eastern Conference standings.
When Nick Nurse accepted the role of Philadelphia's head coach, he envisioned building a championship-contending roster led by one of the league's most dominant centers, Joel Embiid. Alas, Lady Luck had other plans for Nurse; rather than working with his superstar scorer, he has consistently had to alter his starting lineup to not only replace the abundance of points that Embiid chalks up on a nightly basis, but also the rotational pieces in the squad who also faltered to injury.
At some point, Embiid's fitness concerns became something Nurse had conditioned himself to, and they will be subconsciously factored into his thinking. What the head coach could not have expected was a lengthy ban for Paul George, which again stripped the roster of much-needed quality and experience.
Nevertheless, much to Nurse's relief, George is eligible to return against the Chicago Bulls on March 25. Whether he instantly returns to his key role in the rotation is another question. Although what cannot be questioned is that a healthy 76ers squad instantly dials up the pressure that Nurse is burdened with as head coach of this demanding franchise.
No more excuses for Nick Nurse
Given the current chaotic landscape of the East, a full-strength Philadelphia roster has the potential to make a serious tilt towards the Eastern Conference Finals. Even with a wildly depleted squad, the Sixers (39-32) have recorded six wins in their previous ten matchups and leave themselves tied with the resurgent Atlanta Hawks (39-32) for sixth position in the standings.
The fact that Nick Nurse has established a formula with a weakened rotation deserves a fair share of plaudits. Many thought the front office might be focused on tanking, but this determined group of players showed they have what it takes to keep the franchise’s postseason hopes alive. Of course, elevated performances result in elevated expectations, and George's return will only amplify the fan base's playoff hopes.
Before his 25-game suspension for breaching the NBA's Anti-Drug Policy, Paul George had shown encouraging signs of a player who was willing to conform to the 76ers' offensive blueprint, even if this required him to be a less prominent option. Even in his less-valued role, the 35-year-old became a defensive stalwart for Philadelphia, while recording 16 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
Losing a forward of this stature would affect any team, especially considering this suspension coincided with injuries to both Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Although it did provide Nick Nurse with a viable excuse when the critics started to voice their concerns about the 76ers' dip in form. Adversely, when he returns to the roster, Philadelphia will instantly pose a greater threat to their opponent, leaving Nurse with little flexibility for bad results.
With Embiid and Maxey also expected to turn in the coming days and weeks to supplement Paul George, Nick Nurse will have no option but to make a deep postseason push. On paper, a healthy Philadelphia 76ers roster is an Eastern Conference Finals contender; if the Sixers' head coach fails to make this statement a reality, then the speculation surrounding his future will surely intensify.