Jordi Fernández: On the Path to Becoming an NBA Head Coach

That Jordi Fernández (Badalona, ​​1982) will be the head coach of the NBA is a fact. It is not known when or where, but it will happen. For some time now, his name has always been in the pools when there is a free bench in the North American League. He has already been in several interviews for the position: his name was among the options that the Toronto Raptors were considering to replace Nick Nurse this season along with Sergio Scariolo, national coach. The job ultimately fell to Darko Rajakovic.

A position that he has already tasted… although punctually. In the early hours of December 14 to 15, the Catalan led the Sacramento Kings when Mike Brown was sent off in Canada against the Raptors. The California franchise took the Air Canada Center duel by one point (123-124). His relationship with the North does not end there: this summer he led the Canadian team to its first medal (bronze) in a World Cup.

Brown’s absence due to health and safety protocols in December against Denver once again gave Fernández the opportunity to coach the team in two more games. “I think one day he’ll be an NBA head coach,” Nugges coach Mike Malone said before that doubleheader. The Spaniard worked under Malone for six seasons, from 2016 to 2022, before joining the Kings with Brown, with whom he also worked during the last Olympic Games in the Nigerian national team.

An accumulation of experience for the best assistant in the NBA, according to the general managers of the 30 franchises in the North American League. This is how, at least, they have expressed it in the traditional pre-season survey, number 22 ever. In it, the one from Badalona was chosen with 31% of the votes as the second most important in the competition ahead of Terry Stotts, from Milwaukee and former Portland Trail Blazers coach for nine seasons (10%), Kevin Young (Phoenix, 10%) and Sam Cassell (Boston, 7%).

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2023-10-11 08:08:02
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