Nets Struggle in Loss to Rockets

In their game against the Rockets on Thursday night, the Nets found themselves trailing for the last 28 minutes.

Yet, those moments on the court weren’t entirely without merit.

Coach Jordi Fernandes had a candid chat with rookie Nolan Traore after he made a hasty three-point attempt. It was a moment of tough love that reflected the learning curve facing the young player.

Traore, a promising French player known for his ability to drive and penetrate defenses, had a rough game. He managed only two assists alongside two turnovers, shooting just 1-for-8 overall and going 1-for-5 from beyond the arc, which was largely forced by pressure.

“I need him to utilize his talent and get into the paint more. It felt like I got stuck when taking some of those shots, and often it didn’t pan out…because that’s what they want you to do,” Fernandez commented. “If you keep taking the same shots and getting the same results, that’s essentially madness. I know his potential.”

Fernandez elaborated, “He can effectively play the pick-and-roll, attack the paint, deny the same play, and set up his teammates. Two assists and two turnovers just don’t cut it. I want to see him step up. A pull-up three-pointer is fine, but not when he hasn’t proven it consistently. He’s capable of catch-and-shoot threes, but I didn’t do that. If he could just be a bit better, we would’ve had the game I envisioned. That’s what I hope to see from him going forward.”

The backdrop was challenging for the Nets since they were missing three key starters. Michael Porter Jr. was sidelined with an illness, Terrence Mann was dealing with a right hip contusion, and lottery pick Egor Demin was out due to a sore lower back.

“It was a struggle throughout the game. I wanted him on the court longer to gain experience. It was unexpected, but we’re optimistic he’ll improve shortly,” Fernandez said. “He will support his peers and gear up for the upcoming game.”

Looking Ahead

Friday will see the Nets facing off in Washington. They’ve found themselves in fifth place in the lottery standings, just a few percentage points ahead of the Hornets and two and a half games behind the Wizards.

With the fewest games played in the league so far, the Nets are now entering a demanding phase, playing four games a week for five straight weeks. The real test will be managing the return of Porter and Demin as they navigate this hectic schedule.