Nick Nurse Shares His Thoughts on How His Tenure with the Raptors Ended

Former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse talks about how his tenure with the organization ended and how he feels with the Philadelphia 76ers

Nick Nurse has no regrets.

Sure, it would have been better if last season ended with a few more wins. Maybe better free throw shooting in the play-in tournament would have prolonged his tenure with the Toronto Raptors for a few more days. But the writing was on the wall.

“It felt like it was time, probably both sides,” said Nurse who will make his return to Toronto on Saturday night. “Still feels that way for me, just looking around. I look at the way they play and they’re playing great and I’m really enjoying coaching this team. So I think everybody is where they’re supposed to be.”

By all accounts, both sides are happy with how things played out. Nurse is where he wants to be, he said, leading a talented Philadelphia 76ers team that is among the best in the Eastern Conference. Toronto, meanwhile, seems happier, having turned the page after Nurse’s voice grew stale.

“No. I’m fine,” said Nurse who was asked if he regrated the way his time in Toronto ended. “I think it ended the way it ended.”

There’s little doubt Nurse knew what he was doing when he wondered aloud about his future with the Raptors just two weeks before the end of the season. Coincidentally, if you believe in coincidences, his public pondering happened to take place in Philadelphia.

“It’s like pro sports, man, stuff turns, you go on a losing streak, all of the sudden lots of people are talking and stuff happens fast,” Nurse said. “That probably gets you thinking about, what if something’s going to happen. Just a little bit.”

Maybe things could have gone a different way, Nurse acknowledged. Maybe a couple of play-in and playoff wins could have changed things. But that all seems pretty unlikely in hindsight.

Ultimately, Nurse is right.

It was time for a change and both parties seem happier where they are.