Former Raptors Coach Links up With Rock Band in Philadelphia

Former Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse linked up with the Arkells during the Canadian band's recent visit to Philadelphia

It may be eight months since Nick Nurse stood on the sidelines for the Toronto Raptors, but his roots in the Greater Toronto Area remain -- with the Arkells and Mt. Joy.

Nurse, who coached the Ratpors from 2018-2023 and led the franchise to its first and only NBA Championship in 2019, befriended the Arkells during his time in Toronto, regularly dropping into shows and participating in jam sessions with the group.

Although he has moved on to coach the Philadelphia 76ers, the connection with the Hamilton, Ontario-based band remains, as he joined up with them and fellow popular band Mt. Joy for a jam session in Philly.

Nurse, who has led the Sixers to a promising 23-12 record this season, is an avid piano and guitar player and hopped back on the keys for a little session on Sunday, which the Arkells posted to their Instagram page.

Albeit short, the video shows Nurse on the piano while Max Kerman, the Arkells’ frontman, sings Dreams by Fleetwood Mac.

While coaching the Raptors, fans got to know Nurse's affection for jazz and piano, with a picture of Thelonious Monk, among other historical jazz stars, hanging in his office. Eventually, that led to Nurse jumping on stage, bass guitar in hand, to play with The Arkells at a summer concert just weeks after lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Canada’s hottest guitarist... Toronto @Raptors head coach Nick Nurse. pic.twitter.com/y3o8DwkCxV

— ARKELLS (@arkellsmusic) June 23, 2019

Meanwhile, in 2020, Kerman for a jam session, where he hopped on the keys as he did this week. The duo first played the Arkells’ song “Quitting You” before performing a cover of the 1971 Bob Dylan hit song “I Shall Be Released.”

Even though he might not be squatting the sidelines for the Raptors and Canada Basketball anymore, Nurse is still ingrained in Toronto, not only by his casual involvement with the Arkells but through the Nick Nurse Foundation, which provides children a pathway to success through music, sports, and literacy.

The Raptors have dropped all three games to the 76ers this year and will look to avoid a season series sweep when they welcome Nurse and company back to Scotiabank Arena on March 31.