:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63910230/davidnurse_3.0.jpg)
Monty Williams is filling out his coaching staff in Phoenix, which has led to reports of Steve Blake (Trail Blazers), Randy Ayers (Nets) and Mark Bryant (Thunder) as the leading candidates to be his assistant coaches. Adding in smaller hires on the player development side like Riccardo Fois (Gonzaga) and Matt Massimino (Villanova), things are starting to come together for the Suns during their third consecutive summer coaching overhaul.
For everyone’s sake, here’s hoping it’s the last change made for awhile, as Williams is locked into a lucrative five-year deal with the Suns and hopefully can keep these guys in place next to him for a long time.
According to Ian Begley of SNY, Phoenix has been recruiting former Nets shooting coach David Nurse to join Williams’ staff in the Valley. Nurse would be a welcome addition, as he’s not only helped Nets players out tremendously, but also privately consults over 100 pros.
For example, do you know who helped Brook Lopez go from a back-to-the-basket center to one of the most prolific stretch-5s? That’s right, it was Nurse, during Lopez’s final years in Brooklyn.
Suns have strongly pursued David Nurse to become their shooting coach/player development head to help build their young core of players, per sources. Nurse previously worked as shooting coach for BKN, privately trains several NBA players w/a focus on skills work & mental approach
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 24, 2019
As Williams alluded to during his introductory press conference last week, a focus on the fundamentals will be pivotal. Adding Nurse would definitely be another step in the right direction from that aspect.
Did you know Nurse also holds two world records for his shooting prowess? Not only can he drain 20 three-pointers within one minute, but also 81 in only five minutes.
Nurse would be a huge asset for a Suns team expecting improvement from the perimeter. Deandre Ayton can learn from the man who taught Lopez, plus wings like Josh Jackson, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Mikal Bridges could benefit tremendously from Nurse’s guidance.
Over the last few seasons, the Suns have consistently been one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA from deep. With the help of Nurse within Williams’ program (he said it will be a “war of attrition” this summer), it sounds like another perfect match for all sides.
Stay tuned to Bright Side Of The Sun, as we’ll keep you updated on all the latest coaching staff rumblings related to the purple and orange.