Nash knows he has lots to learn

As a rookie head coach, Steve Nash knows he won’t arrive in Brooklyn as an experienced tactician. On that front, he acknowledges he’s coming in “hat in hand,” with a lot to learn.

Nash admits Nets general manager Sean Marks hired him for his ability as a team-builder who connects with players, and he’s self-aware enough to want a seasoned staff around him. And the newly hired Brooklyn coach said as much on an ESPN podcast.

“I’m not in a position — nor do I want to be in a position — where I come in and say this is how we’re doing everything. I come in hat in hand in many respects,” Nash said. “How have you done it in the past? What do you think works? I think having a collaborative, confident, talented [group] and hopefully we round out the staff with a ton of experience.

“I’m excited to have people that want to build a team together, want to have big voices no matter your level and help myself be surrounded by people who are really capable of adding and building this thing, and support me as they get up to their speed and get caught up in what it takes to be a coach, because I’m wide open to the reality that I don’t have any head coaching experience. I do have lots of experience, but not in that seat. I have improving and growing and learning to do.”

Much was made of Nash being handed a loaded winnow team despite never having served a single day as an assistant coach. Part of that was because of his relationship with ex-Suns teammate Marks, and also likely because of his relationship with former protégé and current Nets superstar Kevin Durant.

But those friendships underscore what made Nash attractive in the first place. A Hall of Famer, he commands respect from stars like Durant and Kyrie Irving. But after not starting until his third season, or averaging double-figures until his fifth, he understands yeoman’s work and journeyman’s struggles.

“I think I have a high basketball acumen, but there’s no question that I’m in this position as much for the experiences I’ve had, the teams I’ve been on, being able to relate to players: Those are really my strong suits,” Nash said. “If they wanted a tactician, a pure tactician, you go to someone who’s drawn up a million plays. That’s not me, as far as sitting in that seat. I’ve got a lot of places to catch up. Luckily I have a lot of time here to get up to speed. ”