The Brooklyn Nets have hired Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash as their next head coach. A two-time NBA MVP and eight-time All-Star, Nash is one of the most accomplished players of his generation. But he has no coaching experience.

Is his hire surprising? Yes and no, former NBA player Channing Frye says.

“You take a step back and you realize that we’re in a different generation now and relationships are everything,” Frye told JR SportBrief. “Your relationships with your star players are everything. I think you look at some of the most successful coaches in the league, they have the best relationships with their players. Their coaches are very hands-on in the development of their players.”

Nash, who previously served as a consultant for the Golden State Warriors, has a strong relationship with Kevin Durant.

“I think Steve, not only being part of Team Canada, which has [flourished] since he’s been there, since he played for them, going to the Warriors and the things he would talk to us [about] – I’m still on a text chain with some guys from the Phoenix Suns,” said Frye, who played with Nash from 2009-12. “We’re always in contact. No. 1, I think Steve is all about winning, he’s all about making each player the best that he can, but he has also been an MVP, and he’s one of the most competitive people I’ve ever played with.”