This Wednesday, Jordi Fernández became the first coach born in Spain to coach an official game in the NBA, but his Brooklyn Nets started the season with a very close loss in Atlanta against the Hawks by 120-116.
After 15 years in the United States, ascending step by step in the NBA technical system, the one from Badalona fulfilled his dream tonight and sat on the bench for the first time in an official Nets match. “It’s definitely an honor to be one of the 30 NBA coaches. It is an honor to represent the basketball I come from in Spain. “I am extremely proud and very happy,” Fernández said.
It was very special for my family and for everyone who has been with me on this trip.
At the same time, Fernández lamented the defeat at State Farm Arena. “I want to win every game because in the end what you want is to create winning habits. Today we have done things well. But, what can we correct that is under our control that would have helped us win the game?” he reflected at a press conference.
“That’s the only thing that worries me (…). But taking a step back and looking at this game, it was very special: very special for my wife, for my children, for my parents, for everyone who has been with me on this journey. “I’m extremely honored and proud to be where I am and very proud of the players because they played really hard for each other,” he said.
Cam Thomas led Brooklyn with 36 points (20 of them in an impressive fourth quarter), 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Jalen Wilson contributed 16 points, Dennis Schroder had 13 points and 7 assists and the controversial Ben Simmons, from high to low, finished with 6 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists.
The Nets suffered from turnovers (17 with 6 from Simmons and 5 from Schroder) and the difference in the volume of free throws (19 of 25 compared to 33 of 46 of their rivals). As for the Hawks, Trae Young (30 points, 12 assists and 5 rebounds) and Onyeka Okongwu (28 points and 8 rebounds) were the best.
After 15 years in the US, climbing step by step, the one from Badalona fulfilled his dream
With Nic Claxton on a minutes restriction after having missed the entire preseason, Fernández initially opted for a quintet formed by Schroder, Thomas, Simmons, Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith. The Catalan had placed a lot of emphasis on defense as part of the Nets’ identity, but the start tonight was not very promising: a 13-4 in just over two minutes with obvious mistakes and shortcomings.
It was a matter of getting rid of those nerves from the first day, as the Nets adjusted their defense, began to get their act together on offense and corrected that weak start with a 0-9 run.
Jordi Fernández had to separate Onyeka Okongwu during a match in the match
For Atlanta, Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher, number one in the last draft, debuted as part of the second unit (he finished with 7 points in 19 minutes) and the first quarter ended with 30-24 for the Hawks.
With Schroder scoring and Simmons doing a little of everything successfully, the Nets took a step forward in the second quarter in a stretch that well reflected what Fernández wants: fast and choral basketball, attention and pressure on defense and an extra point of intensity in every play. Thus, the Nets turned the score around and took their first lead driven by a 2-13 run.
Trae Young and Onyeka Okongwu lead the Hawks to victory
Thomas also began to gain confidence and Brooklyn, with a run of 21-31 in that period, went to the locker room ahead 51-55. Thomas (10 points) and Schroder (9) stood out in scoring for the visitors, although the most complete was Simmons with 6 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Okongwu (14) and Young (9) were the most productive of the locals.
The game remained on similar ground in the third quarter with the two teams alternating command without being able to open a gap. Young and Dyson Daniels took the floor for the Hawks, but the Nets, despite Simmons being charged with fouls, responded with a collective attack to reach the outcome in a draw (83-83).
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With the score so tight, the tension also grew and Claxton made a very abrupt and dangerous foul, with an unpresentable blow to the chest, on a Daniels who was going alone to score. The Atlanta player confronted the Nets center, who received a flagrant type two and went to the shower early.
Shortly after, on a similar play, Thomas made a hard foul – not a flagrant one – on De’Andre Hunter as he was driving to the basket. Okongwu fouled Thomas for that foul and there was another small brawl. Between interruptions and techniques for both sides, the game began to slip away from the Nets with too many losses in the decisive stretch.
A three-pointer by Hunter put Atlanta at +10 with 6.46 left, which was the biggest lead of the night. Brooklyn did not lower his arms and continued trying with an explosive Thomas. But, despite a meritorious performance since they were -2 with two seconds left, Fernández’s Nets, after free throws from Young, finally uncorked the course with defeat.
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