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Masai Ujiri, Nick Nurse & the paradox of a “safe” coaching choice

By Brian Boake

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 26: Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors listens to assistant coaches Rex Kalamian and Nick Nurse against the Portland Trail Blazers during NBA game action at Air Canada Centre on February 26, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 26: Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors listens to assistant coaches Rex Kalamian and Nick Nurse against the Portland Trail Blazers during NBA game action at Air Canada Centre on February 26, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Nick Nurse, formerly the Raptors’ top assistant coach, is now in charge. Masai Ujiri will also be under the microscope should this “safe” coaching selection fail.

The elevation of Nick Nurse to the position of Toronto Raptors head coach is complete. Team President Masai Ujiri has made his second selection since rejoining the front office in 2013.

Yes, his second choice. Dwane Casey was already the team’s coach when Masai succeeded Bryan Colangelo in the top job. Most new brooms would sweep out any vestiges of the ancien regime, but Masai showed for the first time his preference for continuity. He saw no compelling reason to terminate the coach, and didn’t.

Doing nothing is also a decision.

TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 12: Lucas Nogueira #92 of the Toronto Raptors as he talks to assistant coach Nick Nurse during a break in the action during NBA game action against the New York Knicks at Air Canada Centre on November 12, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.”n(Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 12: Lucas Nogueira #92 of the Toronto Raptors as he talks to assistant coach Nick Nurse during a break in the action during NBA game action against the New York Knicks at Air Canada Centre on November 12, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.”n(Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

When another ignominious playoff ousting was too much to bear, Masai lowered the boom on Casey. The resulting coaching search extended far and wide, but ultimately stayed as close to home as one can get. The lead assistant is now in charge. Continuity is confirmed.

The bitterness of the playoff failures, in particular this most recent one, has led to much grumbling among Raptors fans, and understandably so. We’ve even heard whispers of “Fire Ujiri!”, an idea considered blasphemy for most of our head man’s tenure.

Win now, Nick

Nick Nurse has a high bar to leap over. Unlike a coach who takes over a bad team (like Brett Brown in Philadelphia or Brad Stevens in Boston), and gets a multi-year mulligan, our guy inherits a roster which produced the NBA’s second best record in the 2017-18 season.

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Nick knows the personnel. If the Raptors decline next year, it’s on him. The backwash will also soil Masai’s spotless image. He could have gone completely off the reservation and brought in a successful EuroLeaguer like Ettore Messina. I shouldn’t shortchange Messina; he’s had several years as an assistant in San Antonio, the best franchise on this planet, particularly for coaching hopefuls. Masai could have made worldwide headlines by bringing on Becky Hammon.

Neither of those possibilities materialized, nor did the other homebody, Rex Kalamian, make the cut. Nick is Masai’s guy, and got the gig. Now Nurse must produce, particularly in the post-season. Of course he’s got to get there first, which isn’t automatic. I view the 59 wins of last season as a most pleasant anomaly. The East will be nastier next season, as Philly’s second-half surge wasn’t a fluke and both Indiana and Milwaukee are likely to be better. Cleveland’s Cavaliers are holding their breath on LeBron James’ decision, but if he sticks around, they will be tough again.

Phooey to the regular season

However, Nick doesn’t need to get our team’s win total into the 60s to be a success. Home court didn’t help against the Cavs. If the Raptors don’t win at least two playoff series, and put up a strong battle for Eastern Conference championship status, the fans will turn on him.

Nurse won’t get a honeymoon. If this team bellyflops in the post-season, he’ll wear it, and so will Masai. The future is now for both men. Masai opted for “steady as she goes” when he might have been radical. He would have bought himself some time, but didn’t. The playoffs of 2018-19 will got a long way in determining how much longer Masai will retain the top job in Toronto.

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