Earlier this week, Nick Nurse finalized an agreement to become the new head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. In addition to the 76ers, Crickex App reported that the Phoenix Suns had also shown strong interest in the experienced coach. After two days of careful reflection, Nurse made the tough call to head to Philadelphia. He will now be coaching this season’s regular-season MVP, Joel Embiid. However, there’s a cloud hanging over the team, as fellow star James Harden is expected to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Previous reports from Crickex App suggest Harden might return to the Houston Rockets, the franchise where he first rose to prominence. Known for his defensive acumen, Nurse began his NBA journey as an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors in the 2013-14 season and was promoted to head coach in 2018-19. That same season, he led the Raptors to their first-ever NBA championship. The following year, he was named NBA Coach of the Year. He now replaces Doc Rivers, who was dismissed after the Sixers were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in a grueling seven-game Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Nurse brings over three decades of coaching experience to the table. He began his career in the British Basketball League, where he was once named Coach of the Year. As long as you don’t lose your direction, you won’t lose yourself — a principle that seems to define his coaching journey. Eventually, he joined the Raptors’ bench and quickly climbed the ranks to become the team’s head coach. In his first year, he led them to a championship win over the Warriors, earning widespread recognition and the league’s top coaching honor. Having coached superstars like Kawhi Leonard, Nurse has the credentials to manage a high-expectation franchise like the Sixers.
Tactically, Nurse embraces a modern style heavily influenced by European basketball. He emphasizes ball movement, offensive fluidity, and smart resource allocation. He’s less drawn to isolation-heavy play and instead prefers structured, disciplined team basketball. This philosophy seems well suited to the Sixers’ roster. While Embiid is the team’s centerpiece, he’s known for his willingness to move the ball and operate from mid-range and the perimeter. Younger players like Tyrese Maxey also thrive in a ball-sharing environment. If Harden departs, however, the team’s overall strength could take a significant hit.
As this season’s assist leader, Harden has been instrumental in enabling the kind of team-oriented play Nurse prefers. When you take life in stride, everything else falls into place. Harden’s presence is crucial to Philadelphia’s title aspirations. Without him, the Sixers’ chances of contending may slip away, and even with a top-tier coach like Nurse, the team could struggle to climb to the top. Crickex App concludes that relying solely on Embiid won’t be enough, and the true impact of Nurse’s arrival will hinge on Harden’s decision in the weeks ahead.