NBA Free Agency: Nurse confident ‘versatile’ Sixers to step up big
Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse remains confident his “versatile” Sixers will step up big after hauling key pieces in the off-season.
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NURSE CONFIDENT ‘VERSATILE’ SIXERS TO STEP UP DEFENSIVELY WITH NEW PIECES
Furthermore, Nurse is confident his “versatile” Sixers will step up defensively with new pieces added to the team’s roster.
The Sixers coach cited the versatility his new additions can provide as they can play and guard several positions on both ends.
“You hear me talk a lot about versatility,” Nurse said as he was quoted in an NBC Sports Philadelphia report.
“I think we’ve got a lot of guys who are versatile – can play a number of positions, guard a number of positions, and just enhance our team by being versatile in general,” he added.
Moreover, Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, and Reggie Jackson are expected to contribute to Nurse’s defensive scheme instantly.
“I’ve got some thoughts on things, but we’ll experiment and try a bunch of different things,” Nurse said.
MARTIN, GORDON EXPECTED TO THRIVE IN DEFENSE UNDER NURSE
Moreover, Martin and Gordon are expected to thrive in defense under Nurse’s system.
Between the two new additions, Nurse is looking forward to the “competitive spirit” and “athleticism” Martin brings to the table.
“But listen, I love Caleb (Martin). I think his competitive spirit, how hard he plays and his athleticism are kind of what got him to where he is right now,” the coach said.
“I’m excited to see what it’s like with Caleb,” he added.
Furthermore, Gordon welcomes the defensive approach of Nurse, whom he described as one who “switches a lot and he’s very feisty on defense.”
“I’ve always liked to use my strength on defense. Try to be as physical as much as I can with guards – and also bigs,” the veteran shooter said.
“I can guard bigs a lot. I think I jell here pretty well and it’s all about making the most of it,” he added.
SIXERS COACH OPEN TO ‘EXPERIMENT AND TRY A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT THINGS’ ON DEFENSE
Furthermore, the Sixers coach is open to “experiment and try a bunch of different things” with his players in training camp.
During the summer league, the Sixers – under assistant coach Matt Brase – were zone-heavy in their defensive sets.
“I think what we go into training camp running on both sides of the ball will take some twists and turns and evolve where it gets to by the end of the year,” Nurse said.
“So I just kind of want to see how it looks and unfolds without making it too narrow of a box,” he added.
Moreover, another player Nurse can look forward to using is Drummond, who essentially replaces Paul Reed as the backup center to All-Star big man Joel Embiid.
“My mindset right now is that most of my ideas are going in pencil,” the coach said.
“I’ve got some thoughts on things, but we’ll experiment and try a bunch of different things,” he added.
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