When NBA players speak anonymously, the truth can be a tough pill to swallow—and for Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse, the 2025-26 season left a bitter aftertaste. In The Athletic's latest anonymous player poll, Nurse found himself on the wrong side of the court, voted as one of the least impressive coaches in the league.

Out of 100 players surveyed, Nurse received five percent of the vote for "least impressive coach," tying him with former Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan for the fifth-highest total. The top spot went to Washington Wizards' Brian Keefe (22 percent), followed by former Milwaukee Bucks' Doc Rivers (14 percent), Sacramento Kings' Doug Christie (10 percent), and Golden State Warriors' Steve Kerr (6 percent).

On the brighter side, Nurse didn't earn a single vote in the "most impressive coach" category—a list led by Boston Celtics' Joe Mazzulla (17.8 percent) and Oklahoma City Thunder's Mark Daigneault (15.8 percent). Considering players weren't allowed to vote for their own coach, these results reflect the perception of Nurse across the league, not just within his own locker room.

Nurse guided the 76ers to a 45-37 record in the regular season, earning them the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. While that's a respectable finish, it clearly didn't sway the opinions of players from other teams. The poll suggests that Nurse's reputation among his peers may need a serious rebuild—much like the team's playoff aspirations.

For a coach known for his innovative schemes and a championship pedigree from his Toronto Raptors days, this lack of respect from players is a notable red flag. As the 76ers look to regroup, Nurse will have to prove he can inspire confidence not just in his own roster, but across the entire NBA landscape.