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76ers rumors: Nick Nurse’s pressure to win could result in unique Philadelphia hot seat scenario
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- 76ers rumors: Nick Nurse’s pressure to win could result in unique Philadelphia hot seat scenario
76ers rumors: Nick Nurse's pressure to win could result in unique Philadelphia hot seat scenario appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Philadelphia 76ers once again find themselves in purgatory after the recent loss of Joel Embiid , who is out indefinitely after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. Currently sitting in the No. 8 seed with a realistic range between 6th and 10th, the lack of clarity may as well result in questions being asked of head coach Nick Nurse as well.
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The 76ers have managed a 43-37 season thus far after finishing with just 24 wins last season, and look likely to face one of the Detroit Pistons or the Boston Celtics in the absence of Embiid. Still, per Brett Siegel of the ClutchPoints, while Philadelphia are unlikely to fire Nurse this summer , Year 4 of his tenure may as well prove to be a 'hot seat' scenario.
"It would come as a surprise if the 76ers fired Nurse this summer, but assuming he enters Year 4 with the organization, he will need to win and prove he is the coach to lead Philadelphia against the East's hierarchy," Siegel wrote.
Of course, that is assuming Philadelphia does reach the first round of the playoffs unscathed. They are likely to be part of the play-in and will need to finish on a high in order to reach the postseason.
Further, the extent of injuries they have faced over the past two campaigns is a major reason why the 76ers continue to underperform. And while there is little doubt that Embiid's latest absence is frustrating for fans, he has still performed at a high level when available, averaging 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game per ESPN.
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Hence, Nurse is not currently expected to be fired, but his long-term future is directly tied to results over the remainder of the season and postseason. If the Sixers suffer another early playoff exit or miss the postseason entirely, pressure will increase on both Nurse and the front office.
For the time being, Nurse's job appears to be safe. However, a lot can change over the coming weeks, and year 4 may as well be treated as 'do-or-die' regardless of roster availability.
Related: 76ers star Joel Embiid receives update after successful appendectomy
Related: How much time could 76ers' Joel Embiid miss after appendicitis diagnosis?
