{"id":105517,"date":"2024-11-07T00:38:09","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T05:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=105517"},"modified":"2024-11-07T00:38:09","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T05:38:09","slug":"nets-jordi-fernandez-psych-no-1-pick-ben-simmons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/07\/nets-jordi-fernandez-psych-no-1-pick-ben-simmons\/","title":{"rendered":"Nets\u2019 Jordi Fernandez Uses Psych Background With No. 1 Pick"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are a number of teams that may have given up on Ben Simmons<\/a> if put in the same position. However, the Brooklyn Nets stuck by Simmons through two-plus injury-riddled seasons<\/a>, hoping to be rewarded for their perseverance<\/a>. The 2016 No. 1 pick has responded in kind, playing whatever role has been asked of him when he has been healthy.<\/p>\n

In his first two seasons with the franchise, he\u2019s averaged 6.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 25.7 minutes per game in a point-forward-center role. He\u2019s followed that up by tallying 5.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 24.3 minutes per game in 2024-25.<\/p>\n

Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez believes he can do more<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want him to shoot more than that<\/a>,\u201d Fernandez says, per the New York Post\u2019s Ryan Dunleavy. \u201cMy goal for him is 10. He has to find a way to get there\u2026 I know he can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is physically getting where he\u2019s supposed to be, and those attempts need to go up,\u201d Fernandez said. \u201cBecause then we are all going to benefit from it. I don\u2019t care about makes-misses. I just want to see shots going up. He\u2019s more than capable of doing it, so he\u2019ll get there for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nets\u2019 Jordi Fernandez Uses Psych Background With No. 1 Pick Ben Simmons<\/h2>\n

Every coach has to put on their psychologist hat at some point in time, even if they don\u2019t want to. Coaching a player like Simmons, whose confidence has waned over the past few years, requires Fernandez to do it full-time. Fortunately, that\u2019s right up his alley, as he\u2019s one academic article away from a PhD in sports psychology<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The first-time NBA head coach<\/a> is already put his knowledge to work.<\/p>\n

Easy Does It<\/h3>\n

In order to coax more out of Simmons, Fernandez has to challenge him. At the end of the day, he\u2019s a competitor, no matter how passive he\u2019s been as a shot-taker. For evidence of that look no further than the way Simmons competes on defense (or the very fact that he\u2019s still playing after multiple injuries).<\/p>\n

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Jordi Fernandez loves this defensive intensity by Ben Simmons. they exchange low fives after. #NetsWorld<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/M8nqfHnRSN<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeri Tsai (@JeriTsaiNets) October 31, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n