Yes, former Brooklyn Nets head coach and Canadian men’s national team star Steve Nash did get a formal interview recently and impressed both with his preparation and his apparent determination to get back on an NBA bench after a weird two-plus year run with various mixes of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, James Harden and Ben Simmons to draw up game plans for — a task made more difficult because none of the stars on the ‘super team’ Nash was hired to coach could stay healthy for any significant length of time.
No, Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon did not formerly interview with Toronto, though there were conversations. Ultimately the sense was the coach of the defending WNBA champions wasn’t in a rush to leave her current role. She is starting a season with a hand-picked team, the richest coaching salary in the history of the league and working for an organization that had just invested $40 million in a world-class practice facility.
Yes, the Raptors will consider coaches with current NBA experience, with recently fired Suns head coach Monty Williams on Toronto’s radar.
Yes, long-time Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin remains the leading internal candidate.
No, head coaching experience — or even coaching experience — is not required: 15-year NBA veteran and current broadcaster and podcaster JJ Redick remains in consideration after he predictably impressed in his interview.
While Raptors president Masai Ujiri said in the aftermath of firing Nurse that having someone in place before the June 22 draft, where the Raptors are slated to choose 13th overall, was his preference, there is no timeline otherwise.
The focus internally is ‘no stone unturned’; the emphasis being to find the right candidate rather than the timing of the decision.
With most NBA front offices are in California this week to see many of the projected lottery picks in agent-run showcase workouts after the pre-draft combine in Chicago, the impression is the Raptors could still be a couple of weeks away from getting down a short list, which would take the process to the first week of June.
There are a couple of ways to interpret that: one is the Raptors are zeroed in on some assistants on teams that are still playing – Chris Quinn on the Miami Heat’s staff and David Adelman with the Denver Nuggets have each been linked to the Raptors’ opening. Presuming the Heat join the Nuggets in the NBA Finals, that would conceivably leave a decision on either of those candidates until after June 18, if the Finals go seven games.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/raptors-dont-appear-to-be-in-any-rush-to-hire-a-new-coach/
by The_Living_L
24 Comments
This heat run is further convincing Masai that league is wide open and raptors should be in win now mode.
I disagree but I just think that’s what Masai and Co think. Those of you who want to trade Pascal and OG for picks and young players, prepare to be disappointed.
This all just sounds like the FO is still not sure about the direction of the team. If you were trying to win Monty would be the highest on your list. If you were trying to develop culture it be Quinn or Atkinson. If you’re thinking about running it back safely you’d go Sergio or Griffin. If you ready to get weird you’d hire Reddick or Nash. The fact that all these people are getting interviewed shows we have no plan tbh. I’ve been a Masai and Bobby fan for obvious reasons but this is getting strange.
Masai is never going to admit to rebuilding or losing seasons, he can put a young team on the floor and still say “the expectation is to win”…I’m not reading into it until we hire the HC.
Sounds like they thought nurse was the problem
FO Zoom interviewer: “So…if we tell you to play Flynn more even if we have somebody like Dowtin. What would Nick Nurse do that you won’t do? What if Flynn was 6-9?”
Masai’s lack of objectivity is going to hurt this franchise, badly.
Just waiting to hear when my interview is….shouldn’t be long now!
(I assume the entire sub will be interviewed for the roll)
Just waiting to hear when my interview is….shouldn’t be long now!
(I assume the entire sub will be interviewed for the roll)
>No, Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon did not formerly interview with Toronto, though there were conversations
Not even an interview? Looks like Masai just used her name for good PR.
We are not going into a full rebuild so might as well get on board. Masai isn’t just looking at this season, he’s thinking 3, 4, 5 seasons ahead.
We need to get rid of Fred and if siakam gets major returns should consider him too
Though I prefer keeping all of siakam Barnes and og and purtle
i always wonder after so many candidates do you even know what you want. even the best ones would be watered down after so many interviews. i guess they gotta be real good note takers lol.
Think they can win now? Most delusional front office in the league
>David Adelman
I actually think he might get the job and we can’t move quickly for obvious reasons.
He’s getting a HC job somewhere for sure.
Honestly I’m fine with anyone that Masai goes with, as long as maximizing Scottie is the gameplan
Bring the same team back, raise the ticket prices, and watch how many empty seats there will be.
ML$E must have seen the Wizards’ financial statements
Lol damn Becky really did turn us down
We’re probably gonna stay as a very mid .500 team for a long time and I honestly don’t mind it as long as we’re actually building something from within and playing the young guys significant minutes. Guys like Malachi and Banton needed way more chances to play through their mistakes and be actual building blocks to our future. There’s really no point burning our starters into the ground only to barely sniff the first round.
Look at a guy like Caleb Martin. Buried deep into the bench for most of his first 3 seasons. Never got the opportunity until now to play big minutes and show his game.
FO Zoom interviewer: “Any last words Mr. Nash?”
Nash: “In Masai We Trust”
Interviewer: “Welcome to Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Steve! You’re the new Toronto Raptors Coach!”
Win now,very funny Masai
At this point I wanna trade Siakam & build around OG/Scottie.
Re sign GTJ and be a crappy young developing team
Win what now, a play-in game?
I dont even think its masai at this point lol I have a feeling mlse is forcing a compete