Phoenix Suns point god, Steve Nash, hired as Brooklyn Nets head coach

In a move that seemingly came out of nowhere, the Brooklyn Nets signed Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor member, Steve Nash, as their next head coach.

Phoenix Suns legend, two-time MVP, and Naismith Hall-of-Famer, Steve Nash has come out of nowhere to plunge back into the basketball world as the next head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.

2020 keeps getting stranger.

The Nets just fired Kenny Atkinson who had been their coach since 2016 and did not choose to keep interim coach Jacque Vaughn around for the long term, although he will remain on the staff.

The Nets have had a knack in 2020 of hiring former Phoenix Suns guards recently, as they signed both Tyler Johnson and Jamal Crawford for their makeshift bubble roster after so many of their players opted out.

Former Phoenix Suns point god, Steve Nash, hired as Nets head coach.

This also makes the second former Phoenix Suns point guard the Nets had made their head coach, as they also hired Jason Kidd in 2013, who had no formal NBA coaching experience, even as an assistant. That only lasted one season.

Nash has a similar résumé or lack thereof. Post-retirement, he has primarily spent his sports time on the soccer field football pitch. Nash holds partial ownership in not one, but two soccer teams: the Vancouver Whitecaps of MLS, and RCD Mallorca in Spain.

Perhaps it is because of this soccer enthusiasm that this news came as such a shock to so many fans. Who knew coaching was even on Steve Nash’s radar? Sure, he has a tireless work ethic and high basketball IQ but coaching is such a different beast, and I’m surprised he is latching on with no experience.

Evidently, I was way off. On the topic of his new gig, Nash said:

"Coaching is something I knew I wanted to pursue when the time was right, and I am humbled to be able to work with the outstanding group of players and staff we have here in Brooklyn.More from Valley of the SunsRanking the Phoenix Suns’ 5 holiday games in 2023-24Zion Williamson gets compared to Phoenix Suns legendSuns player preview: Bol Bol can be the perfect role playerFormer Suns’ guard shows he is officially done with PhoenixNBA insider guarantees Suns’ rival won’t make blockbuster trade"

Basketball has always been one of those sports where getting great at playing it doesn’t necessarily translate to being great coaching it, but perhaps Nash can be the exception.

In his first season, he will have a double-edged sword of inheriting one of the most talented rosters in the NBA. Great players should make winning easier, but with it, comes lofty expectations.

He’ll have what should be considered a big three of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and Caris LeVert, as well as a mix of stable veterans and young talent including DeAndre Jordan, Joe Harris, Jarrett Allen, and Spencer Dinwiddie.

That is, of course, unless the Nets unload any of those guys this offseason.

As easy as it might be to feel a little jealous of this as a Suns fan, the Phoenix Suns have a great (and experienced) coach in Monty Williams, so this move should be a welcomed move as it will be great to see a franchise legend roaming on the court (so to speak) once again.

The pick-and-roll offense is coming back to an arena near you.