Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Golden State Warriors: Will Nick Nurse’s inexperience show in rest of series?

By Nathan Beighle

TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 10: Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors talks with the media during pregame presser before Game Five of the NBA Finals on June 10, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 10: Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors talks with the media during pregame presser before Game Five of the NBA Finals on June 10, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Golden State Warriors benefitted off what seemed like an inexperienced, down-the-stretch coaching performance from Raptor head coach Nick Nurse.

You can argue that Nick Nurse has been outcoached Steve Kerr this series. There is a case there. However, what we saw in Game 5 from Nick Nurse bailed out the Golden State Warriors and has kept them alive in the 2019 NBA Finals.

How did Nurse bailout Golden State? Well, there were a couple of ways. One of which is him killing his own team’s run.

With 3:05 left in the game, Nurse called a double timeout. His reasoning in doing so is spot on and hindsight is 20-20, but it still seems like he could’ve passed on those two timeouts. That said, if he didn’t call those, he would’ve just lost them.

He was asked about why he did call them and said that he wanted to give those guys on the court a rest. There are a few things weird about that.

For starters, it’s Golden State that’s been exhausted to end the last few games, and with Curry already having played big minutes, you’d think forcing Golden State to play longer and harder minutes would’ve been ideal.

At that point in the game, the Raptors were on a 10-2 run.

Then, he failed to call a timeout and run a set play, which he’s terrific at doing, when Leonard saw a double team coming.

Leonard quickly released the ball to VanVleet who dished it to Lowry who saw his game-winning three-point jumper tipped by Draymond Green and hit the side of the backboard. Following the game, Leonard laughed off why he decided not to take the last shot, noting Kerr’s double.

Imagine what a timeout there could’ve done.

You get to reset the floor, getting your best player who has arguably been the best of any player this postseason a shot at the Finals at home. That would’ve been far more ideal than a highly contested three from Lowry.

Next. Warriors: 15 Greatest NBA playoff moments. dark

Nurse could’ve done things differently to impact the game positively for his team. He didn’t, and hopefully, the Warriors have similar luck in Game 6

Home/Warriors News