Egor Demmin was included in the starting lineup that coach Jordi Fernandez deployed in the third quarter, but the Nets opted to revert back to their second unit during a final score of 113-99 against the Celtics.
Despite this, Fernandez made it clear that he wasn’t particularly fixated on the rookie guard’s struggles on defense, which were, once again, apparent in Tuesday’s game at Barclays Center.
Fernandez wasn’t disheartened by the fact that Demmin scored all of his 12 points in the first half while the team faltered offensively after the break.
Reflecting on how Demmin played later in the match, the coach said, “Mistakes are part of the process. I’m okay with mistakes. I’m content with his performance; I wanted him to be assertive and keep taking shots against the defense.”
Demmin, being a rookie, still has a lot to work on.
Meanwhile, Danny Wolfe returned to Brooklyn after getting considerable playing time in the G League during the first half of his rookie season, where he performed well.
“It’s about staying active, no matter where I am. I’m working to improve both here and on Long Island,” Wolfe mentioned following Tuesday’s pregame warm-up against the Celtics.
He saw limited action with the Nets, clocking in under two minutes during the loss, similarly to fellow rookie Nolan Traore.
In the G League, Wolfe has hinted at his potential offensively.
“It feels good to get some game or practice reps and then return here to keep improving and do what they ask of me,” he added.
Wolfe was one of five first-round picks for the Nets back in May, joining Demmin, Traore, Drake Powell, and Ben Saraf.
While both Demmin and Powell have had some decent performances, Traore has spent most of his time alongside Wolfe in the G League.
Saraf had started the first five games for the Nets but hasn’t played much after suffering a sprained ankle in the G League. He’s set to be re-evaluated soon.
For Wolfe, it comes down to getting used to the league’s pace and physicality.
“Everything needs fine-tuning,” Wolfe pointed out. “The NBA is different, and I need to adapt to various situations and keep working on my skills.”
When asked about the outlook for him and other rookies in Brooklyn, Wolfe expressed a preference to concentrate on his personal development. “I can’t look too far ahead. I need to focus on what I can control to improve, regardless of my situation,” he stated. “Everyone is fast and strong, so I need to keep up.”
On a different note, Michael Porter Jr. came into Tuesday’s game with back-to-back season highs in assists, achieving seven in both the loss to Orlando and the win over Washington.
Fernandez commended the veteran forward for his recent decision-making but acknowledged that the team, along with Porter, would need to innovate to counteract rival strategies.
“The role we give him now differs from before,” Fernandez explained, mentioning Porter’s time with Nikola Jokic in Denver. “When facing top defenders, it can be tough.”
Instead of following the same pattern against the Magic and Wizards, Porter has been facilitating plays for his teammates.
“He’s been making plays, and the next step is to see if we can sustain that,” Fernandez added.
This will require effort as opponents adapt their defensive strategies against the Nets. “It’s going to demand more from us. Teams will scout and adjust,” he concluded.
