After suffering six losses so far this season, you’d think it would be a disastrous situation for the Nets, and coach Jordi Fernandez is certainly feeling the pressure.
Restructuring is rarely a smooth process, especially when the team hasn’t secured a single win and seems to be lacking in grit, defense, and motivation. Fernandez found himself at the center of criticism following a 129-105 defeat against the 76ers at home.
“If we don’t put forth a strong defensive effort, this will keep happening,” Fernandez remarked. “We’re trying to motivate our players, but it’s not working.” He’s clearly grappling with how to ignite that drive. “How can we push them to give their all? The outcome can’t sit well with me—the effort was missing, the defense was absent. And 19 turnovers resulting in 20 points against us? That’s unacceptable. Until we fix that, winning will be a struggle, plain and simple. We’re six games in now; how long will this continue?”
This streak leaves them at 0-6, tied with New Orleans as the only teams yet to win in the NBA.
Though securing the top pick in the 2026 draft may be on the horizon, Fernandez and his squad are surely eager for a win. But, well, they seem to be playing exactly the opposite of winning basketball, and they recognize it.
“Everything matters—from focus to body language. It’s all about energy. And, honestly, I need to start with myself,” Fernandez noted. “I want them to play with energy and purpose, but we’re falling short. Clearly, I’m doing something wrong beyond just strategy.”
“The beauty of this job, I guess, is that different teams present unique challenges. This group is not like any I’ve worked with before, and we need to cultivate winning habits. Right now, we’re not there. In fact, we’re far from it. It’s a lesson, one way or another.”
This marks the Nets’ longest losing streak to kick off a season since they began with seven losses a decade ago, placing them third-worst in team history.
Cam Thomas scored 29 points, while Michael Porter Jr. recorded a career-high 17 points and rebounds, yet it wasn’t enough against what was a formidable defense from the opponent.
They shot poorly, allowing 52.1 percent from the field. Not to mention, Kelly Oubre Jr. dropped 29 points (including 22 in the first quarter), Tyrese Maxey had 26, and Quentin Grimes contributed 22 off the bench.
In short, they were not showing their best side.
It seems that while Fernandez may be absorbing a lot of the criticism due to the defensive issues, the players are not entirely off the hook.
“At the end of the day, it’s us who have to execute on defense,” admitted center Nick Claxton, who recorded 19 points, five rebounds, and a team-high five assists. “We need to really take a hard look at ourselves. Obviously, the situation isn’t easy for him either. He’s competitive and wants to win, but nobody wants an 0-6 start. Yet, we should share that responsibility too.”
Looking to shake things up, Fernandez made the unusual decision to bench rookie point guard Ben Saraf—who had started the previous five games—in favor of seasoned player Tyrese Martin. Ironically, Martin went scoreless in his 27 minutes on the court.
The Nets struggled from three-point range as well, going just 7 for 38. However, it was the defense, not just cold shooting, that spelled trouble.
“The defensive presence is crucial,” emphasized coach Terrence Mann, acknowledging the need for improvements on offense too. “If we can’t find a way to elevate our game, we’ll continue to lose. That’s exactly what the coaches are pointing out. Unless we tap into that will, the same results will keep coming.”
