BREAKING: Steve Nash is FIRED by the Nets amid brutal 2-5 start after two tumultuous years with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, as the ‘team considers suspended Celtics coach Ime Udoka as potential replacement’
- The Brooklyn Nets have dismissed head coach Steve Nash amid a brutal 2-5 start
- Nash has had friction with team stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving since 2021
- Officially, the Nets and the former two-time MVP agreed to part ways mutually
- Durant demanded that Nash be fired or he be traded over the summer
- Ultimately Durant agreed to return to the Nets with Nash remaining as coach
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The Brooklyn Nets have parted ways with coach Steve Nash amid a brutal 2-5 start and months of turmoil surrounding team stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Officially the Nets are saying that Nash and the team have decided to part ways, and Nash did not reveal any bitterness in his statement.
‘It was a pleasure to work with the players, performance team and front office everyday,’ Nash wrote. ‘I’m especially grateful to my coaching staff and video room who are a talented group with so much character and professionalism.’
Longtime Nets assistant Jacque Vaughn will serve as interim coach, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Vaughn previously served as interim coach when Marks dismissed former head coach Kenny Atkinson in 2020. Ultimately Vaughn stayed with the team when Nash was hired before the 2020-21 season.
Wojnarowski is reporting that the Nets are expected to consider suspended Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka, who received a year ban from the team after allegations of an improper affair with a female club employee surfaced. Boston would be willing to let Udoka leave, even though he remains under contract, Wojnarowski is reporting.
Former Utah Jazz coach Quin Snyder is also a possibility, according to Wojnarowski.
The Brooklyn Nets have parted ways with coach Steve Nash amid a brutal 2-5 start and months of turmoil surrounding team stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving
Steve Nash bid farewell to the Nets on Tuesday (left) after two tumultuous years with Brooklyn stars Kevin Durant (near right) and Kyrie Irving (far right)
The Nets are expected to inquire about Ime Udoka (pictured alongside Durant) as a potential replacement. Udoka is currently suspended for the season by the Boston Celtics over an allegedly improper affair with a team employee. He previously worked as a Nets assistant
General manager Sean Marks and owner Joe Tsai were equally thankful to Nash for his efforts.
‘We want to thank Steve for everything he brought to our franchise over the past two-plus seasons,’ Marks said in a statement. ‘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.’
Tsai also thanked Nash in a statement.
‘I’ve gotten to know Steve during his time in Brooklyn, and he is not one to shy away from challenges,’ Tsai said. ‘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.’