• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Philly Sports News

Philly Sports News continuously updated

  • Eagles
  • Phillies
  • 76ers
  • Flyers
  • Union
  • Colleges
    • Drexel
    • Penn State
    • Princeton
    • Saint Joseph’s
    • Temple
    • University of Pennsylvania

Nick Nurse: I’d be very happy if James Harden comes back to 76ers

June 1, 2023 by Hoops Hype

Tim Bontemps: Nick Nurse says he’d be “very happy” if James Harden comes back, saying he’s a “great player.” As for Joel Embiid, he says he’s thrown just about everything he could at Embiid over the years and he always immediately adjusts to it, and has always impressed him.
Source: Twitter @TimBontemps

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
When Nick Nurse took over the Raptors, they were a team looking to overcome past playoff failures. He’s now in a similar position here in Philly. #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/06/01/nic… via @SixersWire – 8:07 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Nick Nurse was in lockstep with Daryl Morey in regards to James Harden at his introductory press conference, saying he’d welcome Harden’s return to the Sixers and that winning will be his pitch.
inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… – 7:03 PM
Jason Dumas @JDumasReports
Have seen a whole lot of criticism of Howard Eskin on here/IG re: his interaction with Nick Nurse. I didn’t find anything out of line. It was a fair question that he wanted answered directly. Don’t have to love him but when he puts his journalism hat on he is top tier. – 6:49 PM
Sean Deveney @SeanDeveney
We have @AlexKennedyNBA with a long look at 2023 free agency.
@sixers James Harden? ✅
@dallasmavs Kyrie Irving? ✅
Oh and @Lakers Austin Reaves? You better believe ✅
Check it out at @HeavyOnSports:
heavy.com/sports/golden-… – 6:05 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Harden was good enough to lead the Sixers to 2 wins over the Celtics. He was good enough to help facilitate a third win. He wasn’t good enough to help them to a 4th win. But they’re probably weren’t as far away from a finals run as it feels today. – 6:02 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
New ESPN story: “I don’t really vibrate on the frequency of the past.”
Why Nick Nurse believes he can lift the 76ers past the second round of the playoffs, his respect level for Joel Embiid, and why his sales pitch to James Harden is one word: “Winning.”
espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 5:27 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Trent Eskin: “Do you want James Harden back?”
Nurse: “James Harden’s a great player.”
Grimm: “didn’t answer the question.”
Nurse: “well…James has a decision to make. And I’d be very happy if he came back.” pic.twitter.com/ets1eUD2wl – 5:08 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Nick Nurse touched on James Harden today as he takes over the job in Philly #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/06/01/six… via @SixersWire – 5:05 PM
Micah Adams @MAdamsStatGuy
Nikola Jokic’s career playoff averages:
27.3 Pts, 11.9 Reb, 7.3 Ast
All-time ranks: 9th, 17th, 19th
More PPG than…
Baylor, Curry, Kobe, Wilt, Giannis
More RPG than…
Kareem, Shaq, Olajuwon, KG, Duncan
More APG than…
LeBron, Bird, Harden, Zeke, West – 5:02 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
“James has a decision to make and I’d be very happy if he came back.”
Nick Nurse would like James Harden back in Philly 🤝
(via @Sportsnet)
pic.twitter.com/XNgDPDjWSl – 4:54 PM

Dave Early @DavidEarly
Great question today from ⁦@PaulHudrick⁩ for Nick Nurse on winning without necessarily having a ton of continuity pic.twitter.com/I1kxu1Bof4 – 4:42 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Nick Nurse had an opportunity to coach the Phoenix Suns or the Milwaukee Bucks and he chose Philly. He explained his decision to do so. #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/06/01/nic… via @SixersWire – 4:14 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Nick Nurse: a new era #Sixers pic.twitter.com/OFUUujtUve – 3:33 PM

Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
As Nick Nurse became more relaxed, he came off authentic, and gave detailed answers. Very good introduction. – 3:31 PM
Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Daryl Morey on why Sixers landed on Nick Nurse in their coaching search: “It was a pretty long list and we thought he was a pretty special candidate.” – 3:30 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Nick Nurse says he has talked to James Harden and he hopes to have him back here next season – 3:28 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Nick Nurse said he spoke to James Harden. – 3:27 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Nick Nurse: “I took the job because of these two guys and their track record,” referring to Josh Harris and Daryl Morey, in addition to the roster. – 3:26 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Nick Nurse said he’s talked to James Harden on the phone and plans to meet with him ahead of free agency. His sales pitch? “Winning is the sell.” – 3:25 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Nurse says he has talked to James Harden since taking the Sixers job. – 3:25 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Nick Nurse says he wants to give Tyrese Maxey more reps in the pick-and-roll in an effort to turn him into more of a creator. Says that’s the first thing he thinks of with Maxey’s improvement. – 3:24 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Nick Nurse says he’d be “very happy” if James Harden comes back, saying he’s a “great player.” As for Joel Embiid, he says he’s thrown just about everything he could at Embiid over the years and he always immediately adjusts to it, and has always impressed him. – 3:20 PM
Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
“James(Harden) has a decision to make, and I’d be very happy if he came back. – Sixers HC Nick Nurse. – 3:19 PM
Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Nick Nurse on James Harden:
“James has a decision to make and I’d be very happy if he came back.” – 3:19 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Nurse on James Harden: “James has a decision to make, and we’d be very happy if he was back.” – 3:18 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Nick Nurse: “James [Harden] has a decision to make and I’d be very happy if he came back.” – 3:18 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
“James has a decision to make. I’d be very happy if he came back.” – Nick Nurse – 3:18 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Howard Eskin introduces himself to Nick Nurse with “or, as Daryl would say, Trent Crimm”. – 3:17 PM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Nick Nurse, on developing a relationship with Joel Embiid: “I think he really competes, and he really wants to be great. It’s a collaborative effort (with your stars)…For me, I just want him to have as much success as possible, and that translate to team success as well.” – 3:17 PM
Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
Nick Nurse on how he sees his future with this @sixers team:
“This team could be playing tonight…
I don’t vibrate on the frequency of the past. Whatever’s happened doesn’t matter to me. I’m looking forward to how we can get it done, from start to finish.” – 3:09 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Nick Nurse: “I don’t vibrate on the frequency of the past.” Says that it’s about starting with a clean slate moving forward for everyone involved, and compares where Philly is to where Toronto was prior to him becoming head coach. – 3:09 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Nick Nurse on how to get Philadelphia past the second round: “I think this team could be playing tonight … that combination of staying healthy, the ball bouncing your way, figuring out the long grind of the playoffs … all of those things are very difficult.” – 3:07 PM
Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
Nick Nurse opens his intro @sixers presser thanking the Raptors and the city of Toronto.
As for Philly:
“I’m super excited to be here. This is a very good team. The tradition, the city as a sporting city, & of this organization is amazing. I’m honored, humbled, & excited.” – 3:07 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Nick Nurse opens his press conference thanking the Raptors and the city of Toronto for “10 great years” with the franchise. Says he liked the opportunity in Philly because of the combination of players and organizational infrastructure in place. – 3:06 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Nick Nurse gives a shoutout to Toronto for 10 great years in his opening statement. He adds that he’s excited to be in Philadelphia now with the talent that they possess and the sports history the city has. #Sixers – 3:05 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
“The first thing I’d like to say is that it was 10 great years in Toronto” Nick Nurse says as he offers thanks to Masai Ujiri, Bobby Webster and others with the raptors to open his presser – 3:04 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Nick Nurse intro presser starting with Josh Harris saying Nurse was the top target and the coaching candidate they identified early. “We’re glad you’re on our side now,” he says sitting next to Nurse. – 3:03 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Nick Nurse is here #Sixers pic.twitter.com/O9AWj1ju0a – 3:02 PM

Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
The new head coach of the 76ers Nick Nurse pic.twitter.com/XRZRmrqtay – 3:02 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Almost time for Nick Nurse #Sixers pic.twitter.com/5tR2yDcwAE – 2:51 PM

Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Nick Nurse named new 76ers Head Coach
sportando.basketball/en/nick-nurse-… – 1:23 PM
Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
The Sixers officially announced Nick Nurse is the new head coach. – 12:53 PM
Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Sixers officially announce the hiring of Nick Nurse as head coach.
In team release, Nurse says, “It’s been a fun challenge coaching against this group over the last five years. Now, I look forward to coaching the Sixers and doing my part to deliver for this tremendous fanbase.” – 12:53 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Nick Nurse is officially the Sixers coach. – 12:48 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
A statement from Daryl Morey via an official press release as Nick Nurse has officially been named the team’s head coach #Sixers pic.twitter.com/jsoMPpOkCQ – 12:48 PM

Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Nick Nurse is officially the next head coach of the Sixers.
Statements from Managing Partner Josh Harris and President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey: pic.twitter.com/9DoHPiy6UM – 12:48 PM

Mike Ganter @Mike_Ganter
76ers make it official. Nick Nurse is Philly’s new head coach. – 12:47 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
The Nick Nurse hiring is official: pic.twitter.com/HisFRXVjvU – 12:47 PM

Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Sixers’ make the hiring of Nick Nurse official.
Morey: “His championship pedigree and diversity of experience mixed with his uniquely creative approach made him our top priority.”
Full press release:
nba.com/sixers/news/ni… – 12:46 PM
Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
Official @sixers news:
Nick Nurse – 2019 NBA Champion and 2020 NBA Coach of the Year – is the new head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. – 12:45 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Is the Sixers 2019 move, helping the Miami Heat steal a future HOFer just entering his prime in Jimmy Butler, one of the all time front office Free agent blunders?
Shaq, Moses, Harden, Nash…
Let’s reflect
libertyballers.com/2023/6/1/23744… – 12:34 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
There is a new @SixersBeat, talking Nick Nurse: linktr.ee/sixersbeat – 10:26 AM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
To get some initial insight on Nick Nurse, I checked in with three reporters who covered him in Toronto @SmithRaps, @michaelgrange and @JLew1050.
(That they all agreed to help further perpetuates the stereotype that Canadians are indeed the nicest)
inquirer.com/sports/sixers-… – 9:55 AM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
I haven’t seen if the details of Nick Nurse’s deal with the Sixers have been confirmed, but if they are still being ironed out the mega deal Monty Williams signed with the Pistons have to have Nurse rubbing his hands together. – 8:00 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
Poll time:
Would you rather have Fred VanVleet for four years, $30 million per year, or James Harden at four years, $50 million per year? – 4:43 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Dunc’d On Prime: 2023 NBA Finals Outlook; Bob Myers Steps Down; Nick Nurse to Philly with @DannyLeroux
Subscribe with our Mock Offseason Sale for six ad-free episodes per week, including one with @johnhollinger:
duncdon.supportingcast.fm pic.twitter.com/kvqCCQXKuB – 3:51 PM

More on this storyline

Tim Bontemps: Nick Nurse said he’s talked to James Harden on the phone and plans to meet with him ahead of free agency. His sales pitch? “Winning is the sell.” -via Twitter @TimBontemps / June 1, 2023
With Houston aggressively set to pursue James Harden in free agency and a mandate to improve the team in the immediate future, rival executives expect this pick to be heavily discussed in trade talks with a decent chance of being moved for a win-now player. -via HoopsHype / May 28, 2023
Despite all the instability, however, James Harden still remains to be a great teammate. Just ask former Nets guard Bruce Brown, who is currently part of the Denver Nuggets’ historic postseason run. In a recent podcast appearance, Brown dropped a truth bomb on how Harden’s exit pretty much doomed the Nets: “I think locker room-wise, it was cool, but we really didn’t do much together off the court,” Brown said. “But when James was there, obviously, it was more fun. He did a whole lot of events for us. “When he left, the locker room was kind of quiet. Nobody really did much together. … James was a great teammate on and off the court. Definitely was one of the best teammates I’ve ever had.” -via Clutch Points / May 25, 2023
Brandon Scoop: Nikola Jokic can’t be compared to any big man past or present says Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone to @BallySports : “Nikola Jokić is the BEST Nikola Jokić that I’ve ever seen.” Full Quote Below: “You know, I think we always want to whether if it’s a current player in the NBA or is a great player that’s about to come in the NBA, everybody wants to say He’s THIS guy or he’s THAT guy and really Nikola Jokić is Nikola Jokić, you know? I think that the league probably 20 years ago, David Stern and Adam Silver; one of their goals was to globalize the game and that mission has been accomplished. I mean, you look at the last four MVP’s — Giannis. Look at Luka Dončić and Joel Embiid. Look at all the international talent. But I think Nikola Jokić is unique, is his own player. You can make comparisons because of his size, his skill and the passing and the basketball IQ but, I’ve been coaching in this league for 20-plus years and I’ve been around here for a long time through my father and Nikola Jokić is the BEST Nikola Jokić that I’ve ever seen.” -via Twitter / June 1, 2023
Scotto: Some in Portland believe Shaedon Sharpe has All-Star potential. He’s a high-flier and highlight-reel dunker. Highkin: They like him a lot. They’re very high on his future to the point where when we’re talking about things they can do trade-wise, I don’t think he’d put in play for anything short of Joel Embiid or something like that. -via HoopsHype / May 31, 2023
Keith Pompey: Nick Nurse met with Joel Embiid during the #Sixers coaching interview process, according to a league source. The source said the meeting went well. pic.twitter.com/eGUyFjlaV3 -via Twitter @PompeyOnSixers / May 29, 2023

Filed Under: 76ers

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Extended interview: Barry Diller
  • First group of White South Africans granted refugee status depart to U.S.
  • Qatar to donate jet for Trump’s to use as a presidential plane, sources say
  • Garrett Stubbs still has an important job to do
  • A new Schwarber shirt, in time for Mother’s Day

Categories

  • 76ers
  • Colleges
    • Drexel
    • Penn State
    • Princeton
    • Saint Joseph's
    • Temple
    • University of Pennsylvania
    • Villanova
  • Eagles
  • Flyers
  • Phillies
  • Uncategorized
  • Union

Archives

Our Partners

All Sports

  • 247 Sports
  • Bleacher Report
  • CBS Philly
  • Fast Philly Sports
  • Forgotten 5
  • NBC Sports Philadelphia
  • OurSports Central
  • Philadelphia Sports Nation
  • Philadelphia Inquirer
  • Philly Voice
  • Section 215
  • The Sports Fan Journal
  • SportsRadio 94WIP
  • The Spun
  • USA Today

Baseball

  • MLB.com
  • Last Word On Baseball
  • MLB Trade Rumors
  • That Balls Outta Here
  • The Good Phight

Basketball

  • NBA.com
  • Amico Hoops
  • Hoops Hype
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Last Word On Pro Basketball
  • Liberty Ballers
  • Real GM
  • Pro Basketball Talk
  • The Phifth Quarter
  • The Sixer Sense

Football

  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Bleeding Green Nation
  • Eagles Wire
  • Inside The Iggles
  • Last Word On Pro Football
  • NFL Trade Rumors
  • Our Turf Football
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Football Talk
  • Total Eagles

Hockey

  • Broad Street Buzz
  • Broad Street Hockey
  • Last Word On Hockey
  • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Talk
  • The Hockey Writers

Soccer

  • Brotherly Game
  • Last Word on Soccer
  • MLS Multiplex

College

  • Busting Brackets
  • College Football News
  • College Sports Madness
  • Big East Coast Bias
  • Saturday Blitz
  • Victory Bell Rings
  • VU Hoops
  • Zags Blog

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in