Valley of the Suns
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Ranking the Phoenix Suns head coaching candidates

By Matt Escobar

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 01: Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers looks on during the first quarter in game one of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 01: Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers looks on during the first quarter in game one of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at TD Garden on May 01, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 05: Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 05: Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) /

Ranking the Phoenix Suns head coaching candidates.

Nick Nurse

One of the common sentiments amongst Suns fans who wanted to move on from Williams was “He’s our Dwane Casey and we need to find our Nick Nurse to take us to the next level.” Well who better to be the Suns’ Nick Nurse but… Nurse himself.

Nurse took over for Casey in 2018 and immediately delivered a championship, albeit with a stronger roster and the timely arrival of Kawhi Leonard. Nurse was still clearly the better coach, and is now regarded as one of the best tactical coaches in the league, especially on the defensive side. Take Durant’s word for it.

He wasn’t able to reach those championship heights again after the departure of Leonard, but he constantly had the Raptors playing above their level. A host of young players including Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby all flourished under Nurse.

Next. 7 players the Suns gave up on too soon. dark

He excels in the areas the Suns have lagged in in recent years and should be the clear number one option for the team. He ticks every box for the organization at this stage of the team’s journey to what they hope will be a championship.

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