Dallas Basketball

Kyrie Irving gets honest about Steve Nash, Brooklyn Nets

The Mavericks star had some interesting thoughts on his former coach.
Keenan Womack|
Apr 8, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash talks to guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash talks to guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

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Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving has always been honest, even to a fault in some cases. The controversial superstar has made his fair share of polarizing statements throughout his career, and made enemies out of a few different fanbases and even former teammates.

Though he has taken on a leadership role in the Mavericks organization since his trade to Dallas in 2023, he has started to open up about some of his past stints – mostly his struggles in Brooklyn alongside Kevin Durant and James Harden.

READ MORE: Questioning Cooper Flagg's fit with Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving
Feb 12, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The coach of that ill-fated squad was none other than former Mavericks great Steve Nash, who won back-to-back MVPs with the Phoenix Suns in the mid-2000s. He is thought of as one of the greatest basketball minds in the sport's history, but was a first-time coach when he took over the Nets in 2020.

Irving opened up about Nash and his role as the head coach, lamenting a lack of experience: "I felt like there were other candidates out there that could have definitely been our head coach that had championship experience. I think Steve had championship experience in his own way, in his role that he played in Golden State. But in terms of being a head coach, I had my own thoughts."

When referencing the Warriors, he is, of course, referring to Nash's time as a player development consultant with the franchise. The relationship Nash developed with Durant at Golden State is a likely reason for his eventual rise to the head coaching ranks in Brooklyn, as Durant, along with Irving and Harden, made up the core of the new-look Nets.

The three-year experiment failed despite championship aspirations – though they took the eventual-champion Milwaukee Bucks to seven games in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, there was no material success beyond that. Durant, Harden, and Irving all forced their way out of the franchise, and Nash has not taken another coaching job since.

While people may be upset with Irving about his outspokenness, it appears he may have been onto something here. Experience matters in coaching, even with a genius like Steve Nash.

READ MORE: Kyrie Irving bashes unfair James Harden, Ben Simmons trade

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Keenan Womack
KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.

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