Los Angeles (AFP)
Nick Nurse, named NBA Coach of the Year, extended his contract with the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday four days after being knocked out in the NBA play-off semi-finals by the Boston Celtics.
Nurse is committed "for an extension for several years," said the Canadian club without giving further details.
Last season, his first at the head of the team, was crowned with the first coronation in the history of the franchise, at the expense of the Golden State Warriors.
Despite star Kawhi Leonard leaving for the Los Angeles Clippers, the Raptors had a strong regular season, finishing second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 53 wins and 19 losses, the highest winning percentage. (73.6%) of their history.
In the play-offs, they reached the semi-finals for the fifth straight season, but in the Disney World bubble, they had to give in in Game 7 of a very close series with the Celtics.
The renewal of Nurse contrasts with the layoffs or departures of a number of coaches, recorded in recent weeks and which concern Billy Donovan (Oklahoma City Thunder), Nate McMillan (Indiana Pacers), Mike D'Antoni (Houston Rockets), Alvin Gentry (New Orleans Pelicans) and Brett Brown (Philadelphia 76ers).
"Our confidence in Nick continues to grow, and part of that comes from what we've been through together," Raptors President Masai Ujiri said in a statement.
“The past two seasons have been unlike any other in our team's history: first, winning our championship, then navigating a global pandemic and engaging in the long-term fight against racism and for the social justice."
Nurse began his coaching career in Europe, where he spent 11 years serving primarily in the British league.
In 2007, he led Iowa Energy playing in the G-League, the back room of the NBA.
In 2013, he was hired by the Raptors as assistant to Dwane Casey and succeeded him five years later.
“I've seen this franchise grow and rise to the top, and I can't wait to take on the challenge of winning another championship,” he said.
© 2020 AFP