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Nets ‘mutually part ways’ with coach Steve Nash


NBA: Indiana Pacers at Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash (right) points to guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first half of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center on October 31, 2022 in Brooklyn, New York, USA Ky. (Vincent Carchietta-USA Sports TODAY)

Steve Nash will be out of Brooklyn for another two seasons, and his replacement could be brought in before the weekend.

The struggling head coach was let go by the Nets on Tuesday after starting the season 2-5 and there has been plenty of controversy.

The Nets said a decision regarding the team’s next coach “will be made in the near future.” Assistant Jacque Vaughn was the Nets’ acting head coach against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night.

“We want to thank Steve for everything he has brought to our franchise over the past two seasons,” Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a press release. “Personally, this was a very difficult decision; however, after much deliberation and assessment of how the season has begun, we agree that a change is needed at this point.”

Nash finished with a 94-67 record in the regular season and 7-9 in the knockout stages.

He posted a tweet titled “Thanks, Brooklyn” shortly after the announcement.

“A big thank you to (owners) Joe and Clara Tsai and Sean Marks for giving me the opportunity to coach the Brooklyn Nets,” Nash posted. “It was a great experience with many challenges for which I am extremely grateful.”

After being swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA knockouts last April, the season has been nothing but silent for the Nets. Star Kevin Durant requested a trade in late June, but then told Brooklyn owner Joe Tsai in early August that he would consider staying if Nash and Marks were fired.

Durant stayed, but now Nash is gone.

“We started this journey as colleagues, we parted as friends,” Joe Tsai said in a statement.

ESPN reports that suspended Boston coach Ime Udoka has emerged as the favorite to take the permanent position. According to reports, a deal could be finalized in 24-48 hours and the Celtics will let Udoka go on other work.

Nash has been in the spotlight for the past few days because of Kyrie Irving’s latest controversy. On Sunday night, Irving deleted a link to the movie “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” which he had shared four days earlier despite including the protest. The film traces the hypothesis that the Jews claimed the religion and identity of the original Israelites, which prompted the enslavement of Africans then brought to the Americas.

“I just hope that we all get through this together,” Nash said Monday night, after the Nets scored their second win of the season.

Last season, Irving missed the majority of home games in Brooklyn because of his denial of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Nash also settled on handing James Harden to Philadelphia last season in exchange for Ben Simmons, who won’t play in the 2021-22 season.

Simmons sat on Monday night and was ruled out for Tuesday night because of knee pain.

BUT RELATED STORY:

NBA: Nets, Kevin Durant agree to ‘move forward’ together

NBA: Steve Nash Denies Kevin Durant’s Trade Request As Nets Reboot

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