Egor Demin's Physical Gains Fueling Brooklyn Nets' Expectations

Egor Demin's physical development and improved understanding of the game are already influencing his play for the Brooklyn Nets as the team prepares to tip off its regular season. Head coach Jordi Fernández highlighted Demin's added muscle as a key factor in his readiness for the NBA's physicality.

"Maybe ask the performance team about his weight and how much bigger his biceps is. Maybe that’s a way to quantify," Fernández said, noting Demin's progress. "I’m very happy with the way he’s played. …He sees the floor very well, and he’s done a great job getting into the [paint]."

Demin, who has documented his physical transformation, acknowledged the growth but emphasized his readiness for the league's demands. "That’s true. There was a growth, a significant growth, in what dumbbells I’m picking up on the arm day, yeah," Demin stated.

Beyond physical strength, Demin's decision-making in the paint has also seen marked improvement. "Yeah, play off two feet and look for the spray or keep your options open. But don’t go in there without a plan," Fernández explained. "He’s done a great job. He’s worked at it, and shown he’s way more comfortable now getting there."

Demin reflected on his own growth, stating, "When you’re 18, 19, the game goes so fast. Now it slows down, because you’re more confident, you’re stronger. We’ve seen it in preseason — he’s just got to continue to do it in the regular season."

With the regular season opener against the Charlotte Hornets approaching, Demin is expected to play a significant role, potentially starting at point guard with Mikel Brown Jr. on a minutes restriction. This increased responsibility will require Demin to not only protect the ball but also effectively navigate the paint and finish plays.

"I haven’t done that for a while, getting to the rim like that actively, and sometimes when I get there it’s hard to believe, where I’m like, ‘I’m actually here,’ and I almost expect something to happen," Demin admitted. "So for me, realize that I’m actually a big body, so… it’s harder to defend for people, especially now. So just having a state of mind that nobody can stop me, and just having that idea of getting there aggressively and finishing with quality and not just to show that I got to the paint."

In other team news, Joshua Jefferson practiced fully and will be available for the game against Charlotte, while Tyler Bilodeau will miss the game due to a sprained shoulder.

Fernández also shared insights from a summer visit by legendary soccer coach Pep Guardiola, who shared his interest in basketball and the Nets' team operations. "He loves basketball, so he wanted to see the gym and the players and watch them work out," Fernández said. "He’s curious on how we do things, how we work here. And obviously I have a lot of questions for him on how he’s handled certain situations. … There’s a lot you can learn from a leader like that."