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Ranking Milwaukee Bucks 3 finalists for head coach

By Brian Sampson

Jun 19, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks new general manager Jon Horst smiles as he answers questions during a news conference at the Milwaukee Bucks business operations office. Mandatory Credit: Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks new general manager Jon Horst smiles as he answers questions during a news conference at the Milwaukee Bucks business operations office. Mandatory Credit: Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 5, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse watches from the sideline as they take on the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse watches from the sideline as they take on the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Ranking Bucks head coach finalists: Nick Nurse

Nurse is the most established coach on this list and, therefore, the one most equipped to help maximize Milwaukee’s win-now window.

In five years in Toronto, he went 227-163 (a 58.2 percent win percentage), including three trips to the postseason and an NBA championship. He also went 25-16 in the playoffs.

Defense is his calling card, as he likes to mix up coverages to keep offenses on their heels. He often employs aggressive units, preferring to force the other team into turnovers and run off those opportunities. His ability to mix up coverages and stay flexible on defense is one of his major draws.

Fans should be cautious of his offensive woes. His biggest critics have called out his inability to spark the Raptors’ halfcourt offense post-Kawhi Leonard. This led to Toronto missing the playoffs this season and his firing. The Bucks struggled offensively in the postseason under Mike Budenholzer and Nurse might not have the answer fans are looking for.

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