The Brooklyn Nets are facing a challenging beginning to their season, with an early record of 2-8. In the wake of a dispiriting 130-93 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, the team held a road practice in Dallas to focus on rallying together and maintaining positive energy.
"Our practice, the energy was outstanding and we got better. So right now we want to go out there and play a good brand of basketball," said Coach Jordi Fernández, highlighting the importance of unity. "That was one of my points after the [Dallas] game; it’s what we need to not only get better, but also come together."
Forward Michael Porter Jr. echoed the sentiment, stating, "There’s a lot of things to be down about. But it’s a long season, and if we get down already, then it’s going to be a longer season. So coming here with good energy and get better was what we needed to do."
A primary issue contributing to the Nets' struggles has been turnovers. In their loss to the Mavericks, the team committed 21 turnovers, which led to 25 points for Dallas. This followed 22 turnovers against the Atlanta Hawks that resulted in 28 points for their opponent.
"It’s more about our spacing and then how we do from there because we’re pretty unorganized early and then that doesn’t help," Fernández explained. "So I don’t want them to play tentative; I want them to play aggressive, and making their decisions and playing very hard. And then defensively it’s going back to what is going to make us be a very good defensive team is ball pressure first."
Brooklyn has ranked among the league's worst in turnovers, turnover percentage, and points off turnovers this season. The team is working on improving offensive spacing, decision-making, and defensive communication to address these self-inflicted wounds.
"We’re all basketball players, we all know what to do, so just having faith in what we work on and hopefully that transitions to win," said center Day’Ron Sharpe. "Especially transition, just get into our spots of transition and just being aggressive and making the right play."
Porter noted that the team is working on reading defenses and improving their responses to different defensive coverages, such as switching and top-locking. "Any trial or tribulation can be viewed as a lesson, and that’s what we’re choosing to do. We’re just trying to grow as a team because we’re stuck with each other. And we’re right where we wanna be: here. So we have no choice but to get better."