The Brooklyn Nets hired Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash to be their next head coach — a surprising move for a team expected to be an NBA contender next season with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Nash, 46, has no previous coaching experience, but was one of the league’s best points guards over his 18 seasons in the league. He won the MVP in 2005 and 2006 and was an eight-time All-Star. He retired after the 2012-13 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Nash will be tasked with leading a Brooklyn team that carries large expectations into next season. Durant is coming off a torn Achilles and missed all of this season, while Irving is coming off surgery. Both players are among the best in the league when healthy.
While Nash has not been a coach, he served as an adviser with the Golden State Warriors — developing a close relationship with Durant. Durant, of course, played for Golden State for three seasons, winning two titles, before signing with Brooklyn last summer.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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