Raptors Could Replace Confrontational Head Coach With Controversial One

Summary

• Toronto Raptors say goodbye to Nick Nurse
• Nurse was not in good terms with many on the team due to his confrontational style
• Raptors could end up replacing Nurse with another controversial head coach

The Toronto Raptors ended up having a disappointing season this year as they missed the playoffs after going down to the Chicago Bulls. There was pressure on head coach Nick Nurse after the poor performance and that pressure has now resulted in the Raptors parting ways with him.

Nick Nurse Too Confrontational For Toronto Raptors

Nick Nurse initially spent 5 years as an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors landing the head coach role in 2019. His first year as head coach was extremely successful as Nurse led the Raptors to an NBA Championship. 

However, the Raptors found it difficult to replicate their success during the remaining four seasons and fans were very disappointed with the fact that they did not even each the players in 2023. While all the blame cannot be placed on the shoulders of Nick Nurse, the overall feedback was that Nurse was way too confrontational with members of the Raptors.

Raptors President Masai Ujiri had to get involved in one incident when Nurse is alleged to have dismissed an assistant coach and sent him home. He later refused to let him join the team when they travelled for an away game. Protocol required Nurse to get the approval of  Ujiri before making such a strong decision but he did so without any approval. 

Ujiri had to step in and sort things out as it created issues within the team. In the end, based on the performance of the Raptors and Nurse’s confrontational style, the Raptors decided it was time for Nurse to move on.

Controversial Ime Udoka Could Be Replacement 

There are currently a number of names being linked as a replacement for Nick Nurse and one of favorites is Ime Udoka who is the former head coach of the Boston Celtics. Udoka caused a lot of controversy last year when reports by the Daily Mail alleged that he had help hire a married woman who worked as the Team Service Manager for the Celtics and later went on to have an affair with her.

The Celtics parted ways with Ime Udoka soon after and it looks like the Raptors could end up hiring him.