Steve Nash and the Brooklyn Nets part ways ahead of the team's clash with the Chicago Bulls amid their disappointing start to the campaign: Nash: "I wish the Nets all the success in the world and the Nashes will be rooting for our team as they turn this season around"
Tuesday 1 November 2022 18:19, UK
The Brooklyn Nets have fired head coach Steve Nash after the team's 2-5 start to the new NBA season.
Nash departs having amassed a record of 94-67 and won just one playoff round since being appointed head coach in September 2020.
His departure brings an end to a torrid tenure that had promised so much when the Nets formed a super team of former NBA champions and MVP by uniting Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden.
Between injury setbacks and Irving's ineligibility issues relating to his Covid vaccination status he and Durant played just 64 games together, while the trio of Durant, Irving and Harden managed just 16 appearances together.
In a statement on Twitter, Nash thanked the Nets ownership for his opportunity with the team as well as paying tribute to the team's fanbase.
Assistant coach Jacque Vaughn will take over in place of Nash in the interim.
"We want to thank Steve for everything he brought to our franchise over the past two-plus seasons," said Nets General Manager Sean Marks.
"Since becoming head coach, Steve was faced with a number of unprecedented challenges, and we are sincerely grateful for his leadership, patience and humility throughout his tenure.
"Personally, this was an immensely difficult decision; however, after much deliberation and evaluation of how the season has begun, we agreed that a change is necessary at this time.
"We wish Steve, Lilla and their family all the best in the future."
Nash led the Nets to a 48-24 record in his first year in charge, recording a 4-1 first-round series win over the Boston Celtics in the playoffs before Brooklyn were eliminated by the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Harden, having arrived in January 2021 via a trade with the Houston Rockets, was shipped to the Philadelphia 76ers after just 13 months in February earlier this year, with injury-hit Ben Simmons arriving in return.
A tumultuous tenure continued in the offseason when Durant requested a trade while issuing an ultimatum that called for the departure of both Nash and general manager Marks. Durant subsequently stayed with the Nets, citing concerns over stability and team culture as reasons for his initial request.
The Nets are coming off a 116-109 win over the Indiana Pacers having lost four straight games, and host the 3-4 Chicago Bulls on Tuesday evening.
The Athletic's NBA insider Shams Charania has reported that suspended Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is a frontrunner to succeed Nash in Brooklyn.
