It was a delightful idea in the moment. When news broke Friday that Nick Nurse and the bulk of his coaching staff would miss that night’s game against the Houston Rockets on account of NBA health and safety protocol, it didn’t take long for the social media hive mind to brainstorm the ideal replacement.
Surely it’d only make sense for Kyle Lowry, the point guard who’s long been identified as a coach on the floor, to step in as player-coach. Perhaps Fred VanVleet, Lowry’s teammate and protégé, could act as his assistant.
Alas, the NBA hasn’t had a player-coach since Dave Cowens held down both jobs for the Boston Celtics more than 40 years ago.