Fernandez sees youth as key to Nets gain

NEW YORK — Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden weren't the only ones who didn't stick around long in Brooklyn.

The Nets have gone through coaches almost as quickly as superstar players in recent years, even when the team had been good enough to make five straight playoff appearances from 2019-23.

Maybe Jordi Fernandez will be the coach to have lasting success.

The first Spanish head coach in NBA history said that he expects the Nets to improve quickly after finishing 32-50 last season.

"We will see results right away, because, like I said before, this industry is about getting results and getting better," Fernandez said.

The coach of Canada's men's national team spent the past two seasons as the assistant head coach of the Sacramento Kings, and stood out during a search that began almost immediately after the Nets fired Jacque Vaughn during the All-Star break.

"I think something that separates Jordi from a lot of the candidates is that we found that he could look at a developmental roster, and could see various different pathways," general manager Sean Marks said. "I mean, he's coached stars before, he's been the head, director of development before. So, as I said, he's worn many hats and, I think with our roster, that he's going to be able to get the respect of those guys."

The Nets have to decide what kind of roster that will be. Early in Marks' tenure, the team was building gradually under Kenny Atkinson, before he was replaced during the 2019-20 season. Then the Nets tried the superstar route under Steve Nash, signing Durant and Irving, before acquiring Harden in a blockbuster trade.

With those players all traded, the Nets were back to a younger squad, which finished last season under interim coach Kevin Ollie. Fernandez said that he likes having this kind of roster.

"The youth is always great, right, because it allows you to have a team for a long run," Fernandez said.

If he gets a long run, that is.

"You never want to have to let people go from positions, whether that's coaches or staff members, and so forth," Marks said. "I think what it is, is that we're in professional sports, and there's turnover. I mean, we're all very, very lucky, and very fortunate to have the jobs that we have and to hold on to them for as long as we can.

"You hope you do it the right way, and that you do it with the right people, and you continue to build. As I said before, hopefully with Jordi this is a long-term fit, he can continue to grow and develop just the same as we all have."

The 41-year-old Fernandez, who is from Badalona in Spain, began coaching in his teens. He was an assistant with the Spanish national team when it won the bronze medal at the 2017 EuroBasket, and for Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Last year, he led Canada to its first medal in the Basketball World Cup when the Canadians beat the United States to claim bronze.

Marks said that he has received positive feedback from people who had worked with, and played under, Fernandez, who was also an assistant coach in Denver from 2016-22.

Fernandez said that he couldn't fully explain why things haven't worked out for recent coaches in Brooklyn, but he sees the possibilities for himself. He thinks the youthful squad will allow the Nets to play fast, and thinks they can build a top-10 offense and defense, adding that he believes center Nic Claxton can win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Fernandez said he's already spoken to the team's players. He will begin working with them and set up his staff before leaving for six weeks to rejoin Team Canada. He will return to the Nets in August.

"It's going to take time, it's going to take direction and structure," Fernandez said, "but I believe, with the team we have, and the partnership that we have right now, there's no doubt in my mind that we'll start the right way."

Agencies Via Xinhua