Steve Nash Is Qualified for Brooklyn Nets Job: Unchecked

Based on recent NBA history, Steve Nash is qualified for the Brooklyn Nets coaching job.

Considering recent NBA history, Steve Nash is qualified for the Brooklyn Nets job. 

OFFICIAL: The Brooklyn Nets have named Steve Nash as the 23rd head coach in the franchise’s NBA history. pic.twitter.com/SG8OoN3a8g

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) September 3, 2020

First of all, because he’s two time MVP Steve Nash, and great players tend to get a chance at coaching gigs when they are interested, even without prior experience—see Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas, and Jason Kidd. 

Congratulations to my friend and NBA Hall of Famer @SteveNash on being named head coach of the Brooklyn Nets! As a player, Steve was a coach on the floor so this position is a natural fit for him and the players.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 3, 2020

Also, it isn’t a new concept for a winning guard considered a smart player to get a crack right away as well, the likes of Mark Jackson and Derek Fisher would fall into that category, as would two of the best coaches in the NBA today, Doc Rivers and Steve Kerr. 

Just to expand upon this since I was having a little fun. I love the Steve Nash hire. So much of coaching at this level is being a psychologist

I think Caris is the third star so that’d mean 4 rockstars in the building

Further roster construction will be interesting. https://t.co/a81mdwgdIw

— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) September 3, 2020

Then there’s the fact that the last three NBA championship franchises have been helmed by first-year coaches, though aside from Kerr they had risen up the ranks, with the other two being current Coach of the Year Nick Nurse and the supremely underrated and likely next Philadelphia 76ers coach Tyronn Lue.

Kerr, Lue and Nurse won it all as rookie head coaches 🏆

Does Steve Nash have a chance to join this group next season? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/6j2iCZAdp0

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 3, 2020

Finally, there are his connections within the team itself. Brooklyn GM Sean Marks was a teammate of his with the Phoenix Suns. Marks has first-hand experience when it comes to Nash’s temperament, pedigree, and role in helping usher in the way the modern game is played.

Mike D'Antoni, asked if new Nets coach Steve Nash was involved in game planning as a Suns point guard: "The game plan was get it to Steve and, 'Steve, you figure it out,' so yeah, he was pretty involved."

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) September 3, 2020

And in a star-driven league, there’s no way he got the job without the approval of both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, the latter he reportedly bonded with during his time as a consultant in Golden State.

The mutual respect between Kevin Durant and Steve Nash is there. This was the missing piece to Brooklyn taking the next step as championship contenders.

(🎥 via @Ballislife) pic.twitter.com/yIDnTSvYHH

— Christopher Lavinio (@ChrisLavinio) September 4, 2020

So overall, I was surprised by the Nash hire and have no idea how it will turn out, but precedent shows it isn’t exactly crazy and may even be inspired.