Coming off their worst season in years, the Nets have announced a new head coach who will be tasked with rebuilding. And a confident Jordi Fernandes said the turnaround was about to begin.
“The results will be known soon,” said Fernandes, 41. “This industry is about getting results and improving. Now, how much better can they get? We believe that the process is important. There are proper steps to take and we will see improvements right away. But the most important thing for me is to believe in the success of the team more than the success of the individual.
“[They] We put the team first. ”
The Nets had their least successful season since the last time they missed the playoffs in 2017-18.
They were a 50-loss team, not a 50-win team.
That’s why they will be on their fifth head coach since 2020.
The Nets selected Fernandez over Kevin Young and Mike Budenholzer because of his secular background, having grown up in Barcelona, Spain and earned a doctorate in sports psychology.
They are now hoping their first-time NBA head coach can grow with the team.
“Yeah, that’s right,” GM Sean Marks said. “Every hire that is made has a background and fits the roster better than others at a certain point on the timeline.
“What separates Jordi from the many candidates?” [is], we see that he can look at the developmental roster and can run a variety of different paths. He’s coached star players before, he’s been head director of development, he’s worn many hats, and there’s no player he can’t respect. ”
So, while Fernandez may take over a losing team with a growing group of young players and may struggle again next season, even if a star player is acquired and Brooklyn’s timeline changes. That means there’s no need to change coaches.
And the Nets are confident they can get another star in the future, even with the departures of James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
“In the three years from 2016 to 2019, this roster looked completely different. So if we can build and we can build faster than other markets, the opportunity to do it in Brooklyn is certainly viable.” It’s possible,” Marks said. “It’s a big market, and it will attract stars if it wants to in and of itself. But let’s not lose sight of developing ourselves and being successful and continuing to do well in the draft.”
Behind Mikal Bridges are Nic Claxton (25), Cam Thomas (22), teenager Noah Clowney and Darik Whitehead, who has been cleared to play in summer league.
“Youth excites me. Having young players and talented players means we’re going to use them for a long time,” Fernandes said. “So, you can develop them, and then they can perform at their best, and they’re here with you. So it’s very exciting. ”
The Nets have seven tradeable first-round picks over the next seven years, the fifth-most in the NBA.
And while there will be no pick this June, Marks said there is a chance they will get one if the right player falls through.
Both he and Fernandes are positive that Fernandes will remain as Canada’s team coach for the Paris Olympics.
Canada’s training camp will run from June 30 to mid-July, while summer league games will be played in Las Vegas and begin July 12, two days after the Canada-USA exhibition tilt.
“The challenge is to be very organized, because the opportunities that are in front of you will make you better and make the organization better,” Fernandes said.
“It’s very rare to be able to compete in the Olympics,” Marks said. “So the more chances Jordi can have on his clipboard, the better. So that’s great for us.”
Marks added that Ben Simmons will be ready for camp, and with the loss of Jeff Peterson and Ryan Gislier to Charlotte, director of player evaluation B.J. Johnson has He suggested that he might be promoted after passing.
No other assistants other than Steve Hetzel are known. “He’s the head coach. We wish Kevin all the best,” Marks said of former interim manager Kevin Ollie.
