Jordi Fernandezthe first coach born in Spain to lead an NBA team, debuted in Brooklyn with a crushing victory for his Nets in a pre-season friendly against the Washington Wizards by 131-92.
The technician Badalona He already made his debut with the Nets last week in another preparation game that they lost in San Diego (California, USA) against the Los Angeles Clippers by 115-106, but this Monday was Fernández’s first game at the Barclays Brooklyn Center (New York, USA) in front of his new fans.
I hope the fans are proud of us, the way we play and what we do every night
“I hope the fans are proud of us, the way we play and what we do every night,” he told the media before the game against the Wizards on Monday.
The Catalan, who appeared wearing a New York Liberty shirt and cap, which is currently playing in the WNBA Finals (1-1 against the Minnesota Lynx), also stressed that for this premiere in front of their fans they wanted to “represent the tenacity of Brooklyn” and show “how hard they have played and trained so far.”
“You will never forget these games
“You’ll never forget these games, like I said last week. I’ll never forget being in San Diego and coaching my first game as coach of the Brooklyn Nets, I’ll never forget my first game here, my first official game… That’s part of racing.” of everyone: remember those special moments and today is a special moment,” he explained.
Against the Wizards, Fernández initially opted for the same low quintet that he used against the Clippers: Dennis Schroder, Cam Thomas, Cameron Johnson, Ben Simmons and Dorian Finney-Smith.
After a weak start in defense by the Nets, Fernández did not hesitate to call a timeout when only two minutes and 16 seconds had been played. That wake-up call worked as Brooklyn closed the first quarter ahead 28-20.
Washington reacted in the next period and took the lead with a +6 after a run of 9-23, but the locals responded in turn with a resounding 18-3 to go to the locker room with a 55-46 lead.
Simmons (11 points) and Thomas and Johnson (10 each) were the most productive of the Nets in the first half. Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 11 points.
In the second half, the Nets completely controlled the match against some poor Wizards, they no longer allowed their advantage to drop below 10 points (their maximum difference was a blushing +43) and they closed their first victory of the preseason with a real review .
Thomas (17 points), Shake Milton (16) and Jalen Wilson (14) led the Nets attack while Poole was the visitors’ top scorer with 13 points.
In the run-up to this game, Fernández was seen speaking on the court with a renowned former NBA player as his compatriot. Jose Manuel Calderonwho now works as an advisor for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Nets have two preseason friendlies left: this Wednesday in Philadelphia against the Sixers and again on Friday in Brooklyn against the Toronto Raptors.
The New Yorkers will start the NBA regular season next Wednesday, October 23 with an away match against the Atlanta Hawks.
Jordi Fernández: “I hope this is the only place where I am head coach and I can retire here”
“It’s a source of pride and it’s always special because these things only happen once in a lifetime (…), far from it being just another game and really being a preseason game,” explained Jordi Fernández in a press conference after the beating of his Nets 131-92 against Washington.
“But well, the truth is that after these weeks of work and how we have worked these days, although I know that you don’t see it, in the end the game is the result of all these days together. And when you see a team that competes “I think that’s what fills you the most,” he added.
The one from Badalona also stressed that, beyond the sporting aspect, it was a very important day for him on a personal level.
“It is true that for me, on a day like today, having my wife, my children, my first game here as head coach in Brooklyn, well, as I said, it is an honor and it is very special,” he said.
“And as I have said on previous occasions, I hope that this is the only place where I am head coach and I can retire here,” he added.
