The rebuilding Brooklyn Nets\u00a0have lost their first two games of the 2024-25 NBA season. However, there seems to be new energy from the team that hasn\u2019t been seen in a long time.<\/p>\n
The Nets<\/a> are one of eight teams that started the season with a new head coach. The other teams are the Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, and Washington Wizards.<\/p>\n Brooklyn’s Jordi Fern\u00e1ndez is one of four of the eight new coaches who are first-time head coaches in the NBA. Fern\u00e1ndez is also the first Spanish-born head coach in the NBA.<\/p>\n In their history, the Nets have had 24 head coaches. Since 2020, the team has had four coaching changes since moving on from Kenny Atkinson. Brooklyn fired him and hired NBA legend Steve Nash, who had no coaching experience.<\/p>\n Nash\u2019s tenure was a disaster. The team finished with a 94-67 record over three seasons. During 2020-21, Nash failed to lead the Nets with Kyrie Irving<\/a>, Kevin Durant,<\/a> and James Harden<\/a> to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Boston Celtics swept Brooklyn in the first round of the 2021-22 playoffs. Nash struggled with players not listening to his plays, leading to his midseason firing in his third season.<\/p>\n Interim head coach Jacque Vaughn took over Nash\u2019s job. The team extended Vaughn’s contract after the 2022-23 season but fired him after two years. Interim head coach Kevin Ollie then took over but did not return after the 2023-24 season. The Nets subsequently hired Fern\u00e1ndez as their new head coach.<\/p>\n Fern\u00e1ndez is tasked with leading a team that is expected to have one of the worst records this season. Brooklyn’s roster includes young players and veterans who could be traded at the next deadline.<\/p>\n Fern\u00e1ndez must balance team chemistry, veterans\u2019 expectations, developing young talent, adjusting the roster, and ensuring discipline. He also constantly has to answer questions about Ben Simmons, who spent most of his time with the Nets on the bench due to injuries. However, Fern\u00e1ndez has spoken highly of Simmons\u2019 efforts to improve.<\/p>\n Since training camp, Fern\u00e1ndez has emphasized building a family-like atmosphere with strong relationships through basketball and creating a strong unit.<\/p>\n \u201cI want everybody to have my back. That support is important to build that trust and loyalty between the head coach and the assistants, and then the players can feel it. There\u2019s no one way to do things in this life. There\u2019s a lot of ways. But when you decide to go one way and everybody pushes in the same direction, good things happen. That\u2019s the way that I want to see it right at this second,\u201d Fern\u00e1ndez said.<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Nets are still looking for a win. After their 120-116 loss in their season opener to the Atlanta Hawks, Fern\u00e1ndez received praise for his coaching despite the loss. He has made it clear that the team will show grit and play physically, which is what they demonstrated against the Hawks.<\/p>\n The coach continued his praise for his team despite them being winless. In their 116-101 loss to the Orlando Magic on Friday evening, the Nets\u2019 turnovers contributed to their loss.<\/p>\nCoaching History<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Rebuilding the Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Praise Despite Losses<\/strong><\/h3>\n