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Steve Kerr believes ex-Nets coach Steve Nash a talented coach, but needs ‘more stable environment’ to thrive

The dismissal of the Brooklyn Nets to Steve Nash has pushed Steve Kerr to remind everyone that the environment matters for a coach to thrive and cultivate the team’s growth.

Before the Golden State Warriors took the stage on the road against the Miami Heat, Kerr made it known that he believes in Nash’s capabilities and potential in coaching, but he stressed out that there are several factors to consider in order for a coach to succeed.

“Steve Nash is a good friend of mine, so more than anything I feel for Steve,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr before Tuesday’s game against the Heat, via Yahoo. “I think he has all the qualities to be a brilliant coach. Brilliant. It’s a good reminder to me and to all coaches that we are all at the whim of players, front offices, ownership. You really need a solid situation in which to thrive as a coach in this league.”

After taking part-time consulting duties in the Warriors and ultimately winning a 2017 title with them, the former back-to-back league MVP in Nash took the daunting job of mentoring Kevin Durant and the Nets starting in the 2020-2021 season.

His rookie season as a neophyte coach has been promising, but the second year started to head downhill and become chaotic. Kyrie Irving’s refusal to be vaccinated, James Harden taking an exit, and the Nets’ failure to meet expectations marred his vision of a title in Brooklyn. And it was early in this 2022-23 campaign with a 2-5 start under his leadership and other controversies swirling, he ultimately parted ways with the franchise.

“(Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra and I) are really lucky,” Kerr continued. “Throw either one of us in that situation, we wouldn’t have done any better and that’s the truth. 

“So as a really good friend of mine, I feel bad for Steve. But I also know if he ever wants to get back in this thing he can be great, he just needs a more stable environment.”

Nash may need to take some time to reflect on the hardships in his first coaching stint. But given his intelligence and having that player-coach reputation, plenty of offers will knock their own on his door of opportunities.

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