Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse is approaching the upcoming NBA season with cautious optimism as the team integrates major new acquisitions with existing stars. Nurse, who previously guided the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship in 2019 after acquiring Kawhi Leonard for a short-term run, now faces a similar challenge in Philadelphia. The 76ers have bolstered their roster by adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, joining Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in a squad expected to contend seriously for the franchise’s first Finals appearance in 25 years.
Reflecting on the similarities to his experience in Toronto, Nurse acknowledged the high expectations but emphasized the need for patience. “I’m not sure anyone really expected us to really compete in Toronto in 2019,” he said, noting that Leonard had not played much before their title run. “We fought pretty hard last year, and now we add several pieces.” Nurse stressed that the team’s focus will be on the process of building chemistry and handling the workload that comes with integrating new talent. “It’s a tremendous amount of work to get a whole bunch of new guys on the same page on both ends of the floor,” he said. Nurse anticipates a gradual offensive adjustment period, with practice and preparation playing key roles as the team seeks to find its rhythm.
The addition of Jaylen Brown was a significant move orchestrated by 76ers general manager Mike Gansey, who managed to offload the cumbersome contract of George and two future first-round picks in exchange for Brown. Brown, a two-time NBA Finals MVP contender in his prime, is viewed as elevating Philadelphia’s title prospects considerably. Nurse lauded the offseason acquisitions collectively, describing them as significant improvements to the roster and expressing optimism about the team’s potential.
Strategically, Nurse plans to leverage the versatility brought by James and Brown, modifying the lineup to maximize their strengths alongside Embiid and Maxey. Maxey, known for his scoring and playmaking, is expected to transition from point guard to shooting guard, allowing James to assume the role of primary ball handler as a “point forward.” Nurse explained this shift aims to create a dynamic offense where James facilitates distribution, with Embiid, Brown, and Maxey as primary scoring options. Supporting players, such as Dean Wade, will contribute through specialized roles including spot-up shooting and defense.
Nurse also set expectations for Maxey’s development in his new role, encouraging him to enhance his all-around game to adapt to playing off the ball. “The number of grab-and-go guys bringing it up the floor is changing,” Nurse said. Throughout his coaching career, Nurse has emphasized building rapport with new players through individual time and practice, a method he intends to maintain as the 76ers embark on a challenging season with championship ambitions.