Following a 2-5 start in which things have gone completely sideways on and off the court, the Brooklyn Nets have fired Steve Nash, the team announced.
Assistant coach Jacque Vaughn will serve as interim coach on against the Bulls.
And now, all signs point to Ime Udoka as the next coach of the Brooklyn Nets.
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Wojnarowski added that the Celtics would permit Udoka to leave for a different job.
Udoka was an assistant on the Nets two years ago; last year, in his first season as Celtics head coach, Boston reached the NBA Finals.
In October, speaking on ESPN’s “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith theorised that one of the reasons the Celtics suspended Udoka rather than firing him was that they were worried he would become the head coach of the rival Nets.
Nash had a 94-67 record in his first career head coaching job, but will mostly be remembered for the series of controversies involving his stars that he was unable to quell.
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“We want to thank Steve for everything he brought to our franchise over the past two-plus seasons,” general manager Sean 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.”
From Kevin Durant asking for his firing, to Kyrie Irving refusing to get vaccinated to most recently, Irving’s retweet of an anti-Semitic film and subsequent lack of discipline, Nash seemed overwhelmed and unable to handle his star players.
Nash, the team’s coach since 2020, was the subject of a request for termination from Durant over the summer. The star forward also requested general manager Sean Marks be let go. But the situation was said to have been smoothed over, as Durant withdrew his trade request when it became clear that no other team could match what the Nets were asking for him.
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Nash released a statement on Twitter thanking owner Joe Tsai and Marks.
“It was a pleasure to work with the players, performance team and front office everyday,” Nash said. “I’m especially grateful to my coaching staff and video room who are a talented group with so much character and professionalism.
“Lastly, thanks to Brooklyn and the passionate fans who support this team. Family first and my family has found a home here and LOVES being a part of this beautiful community. I wish the Nets all the success in the world and the Nash’s will be rooting for our team as they turn this season around.”
