Jordi Fernandez Embraces Urgency as Nets Shift From Tanking Era

Jordi Fernandez is set to lead the Brooklyn Nets into a new era, one defined by competition rather than prioritizing draft picks. After two seasons marked by significant losses and a focus on rebuilding, Fernandez expressed excitement about coaching a team with expectations and a chance to win each night, starting with Wednesday's opener against Charlotte.

"Yeah, more [excited]. I think anxiety is usually negative. It’s a good sense of urgency. It’s positive. It’s excited about something," Fernandez said. "We cannot think that all this feeling is going to take us to do something wrong. It’s just control what you can control, the excitement."

This marks a significant shift for Fernandez, who arrived in Brooklyn in April 2024. The Nets endured a 26-56 record in their first season post-rebuild commitment, followed by a 20-62 mark last season. During these periods, victories were often met with disappointment by fans focused on draft lottery odds, while losses were seen as beneficial for securing higher picks.

Unlike teams like Charlotte, which has had a prolonged period in the lottery, the Nets' general manager Sean Marks had planned for a shorter two-year tanking phase. This strategy has now concluded, ushering in an approach where the team aims to win games.

This change in philosophy has created a palpable shift in the locker room atmosphere. "Everybody’s excited about it. With that being said, there’s no benefit from losing: nothing," said forward Noah Clowney. "Playing games, we think we’re going to go in every game with the idea of winning it, put our best foot forward. And I think that excites a lot of people. So yeah, I would say it’s a lot more excitement in the building."

Julius Randle, who was acquired to bolster the team's competitiveness, echoed this sentiment. "Sean brought me here because of that, because it was time to win. So, that’s just what it is. I’m not here to lose. I don’t think anybody’s here to lose this year," Randle stated. "We definitely want to be a team that goes out there and competes every single night. We’re playing to win. That’s as simple as I can put it."

Keon Ellis, a recent free agent signee who previously played under Fernandez when he was an associate head coach for the Sacramento Kings, noted the coach's underlying enthusiasm. "It’s tough to tell with Jordi because he’s not like an expressive guy, but yeah. So I know he’s excited, just because that’s what we’re here for, long summer. So, just happy to get back to it," Ellis said.

The Nets' decision to move away from tanking is also influenced by factors such as owing a pick swap to Houston and the NBA's recent lottery reforms, which reduce the incentives for prolonged losing.