Since taking over as head coach of the Raptors going into the 2018-19 NBA season, Nick Nurse has developed something of a mad scientist reputation. That talk got really loud when he employed the box-and-1 in the NBA Finals to slow Steph Curry. This past season, his experimental defenses — whether an extreme star-trapping approach, various zones, or a full-court press — hammered home the idea that Nurse was willing to be creative and unorthodox. Between that and his other quirks, such as his affinity for the guitar and his “nn” attire, Nurse stands out amongst the generally straight-edged NBA coaches.
With the new-look Raptors, it’s time for Nick Nurse to get even more creative
