Publishers Weekly
05/25/2020
In this enthusiastic memoir, Toronto Raptors head coach Nurse details his decades-long path to winning an NBA championship. Before landing in his position with the Raptors, Nurse had a fairly nontraditional résumé: one year in Belgium and four stints coaching in the British Basketball League (including the Brighton Bears beginning in 2001, where as part owner of the team he had to beg banks for credit). When the Bears franchise folded, he returned to Iowa in 2007, where he put flyers on windshields to get work as a shooting coach, while lobbying for the creation of a D-league team in Des Moines so he could coach it. “There’s a fine line between entrepreneurial and desperate,” he writes. Throughout the obscure championships and job changes, Nurse developed a strategy—being brutally honest with players while also earnestly listening to their suggestions—which earned him a spot as an NBA assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors in 2013. Nurse comes across as grateful and resourceful in recounting his circuitous route to pro basketball glory. The narrative loses some momentum when Nurse chronicles the Raptors’ 2019 championship run, but his down-to-earth approach more than makes up for it. This inspiring take on turning a dream into a dream job is pure joy for basketball fans. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
When the Toronto Raptors clinched our country’s first NBA Championship in the spring of 2019, they created a once-in-a-lifetime moment that brought Canadians together. Through Coach Nick’s leadership and vision, this hard-fought victory brought us to our feet, inspired heroes and role models for our children, and united us all. The Raptors are truly Canada’s team – and we’re proud of the exceptional role Coach Nick plays.”—The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“There’s plenty in this book for everyone. Whether you’re a coach, player or just a curious person, Nick’s journey reveals many lessons in the pursuit of personal growth and excellence – and the benefits that accrue to those willing to bet on themselves.”—Steve Nash, eight-time NBA All-Star
“Nick Nurse didn’t just work his way to the top. He lead his way to the top. He’s won everywhere he’s been as a coach for a reason. His leadership, story and principles will encourage and empower you. This book is a must read!”—Jon Gordon, bestselling author of The Power of Positive Leadership
"A first rate basketball book."—Booklist
"An engaging account for fans of the Toronto Raptors or for readers who also enjoyed Phil Jackson’s Eleven Rings."—Library Journal
This inspiring take on turning a dream into a dream job is pure joy for basketball fans. —Publishers Weekly
"The true story of a basketball coach taking the long, often difficult road to the NBA."—Kirkus
Library Journal
08/01/2020
Nurse, head coach of the Toronto Raptors, recounts his unconventional path to winning an NBA championship in 2019. After playing college basketball at Northern Iowa, he became the youngest head coach in the NCAA at age 23. He spent the next decade coaching and winning championships in the British Basketball League. Returning to the United States, he coached the D-League teams Iowa Energy and Rio Grande Vipers. He credits this international and D-League experience with not only exposing him to new styles of play, but also developing better ways to communicate with players. The second half of the book details the 2018–2019 seasion of the Toronto Raptors, including the acquisition of NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard. Nurse describes the pressure of overcoming past playoff failures, while documenting the team's surprising 2019 NBA championship over the Golden State Warriors. Sharing his coaching philosophy, he advocates listening to players and giving them a voice to lead. He recognizes the stress that players face, and shows how he works with them to elevate their skills to find success. VERDICT An engaging account for fans of the Toronto Raptors or for readers who also enjoyed Phil Jackson's Eleven Rings.—Chris Wilkes, Tazewell Cty. P.L., VA
Kirkus Reviews
2020-04-27
The true story of a basketball coach taking the long, often difficult road to the NBA.
Today, Nurse is the well-known and -respected head coach of the Toronto Raptors, who won the NBA title last year, as well as the Canadian men’s national team. However, he was hardly an overnight sensation, serving years as an assistant coach for teams in London as well as teams in the NBA’s minor league, the D-League. Along the way, he also earned a master’s degree in educational psychology, played jazz in nightclubs, and soaked up knowledge of the game from legendary figures such as Phil Jackson, who contributes the foreword. Co-authored with New York Times Magazine contributing writer Sokolove, this is a pleasing story even for readers who aren’t die-hard basketball fans. Nurse dutifully records some of his autobiography: growing up in an enormous household in remote Carroll, Iowa, with eight siblings, a teacher mother, and a somewhat stern father who served in World War II and made his living as a mail carrier and house painter. The book is full of Midwestern common sense, but interwoven among Nurse’s choices and elevation to the top of his profession are lessons that can apply to many other trades. However, Nurse’s leadership abilities aren’t just second nature, but the result of years of thoughtful and compassionate interactions with his players, owners, and fans. In addition to his focusing on the crucial art of shooting, he lets his players have their own voices while stressing the importance of “intensity of effort…and utter and complete devotion to getting better at your chosen field.” His philosophy also encompasses “FEAR,” which stands for “face everything and rise,” and his summary of his approach to his life and career is blunt and easily digestible: “You get out of it what you put in.”
A clearly delineated sports memoir featuring a series of sturdy lessons.
