Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez is acutely aware that his team is in the midst of a rebuilding phase – a necessary process for the franchise’s long-term growth.
However, Fernandez also understands the immediate challenges that come with such a transition, particularly in the wake of trading away key veteran players.
These moves have undeniably affected the team’s performance on the court and its cohesion off the court.
On Sunday, during a fourth-quarter collapse that culminated in a loss to the Orlando Magic, Fernandez reflected on the consequences of losing experienced players.
“I’ll miss toughness, leadership, day-to-day happiness and about being about the right things and all that stuff,” Fernandez admitted, pointing to the intangible qualities that veteran players bring to a team.
“It’s just very simple that if we were to have that maturity and that toughness, we close this game.”
In recent weeks, the Nets made several significant trades, parting ways with their starting point guard, Dennis Schroder; a reliable starting forward, Dorian Finney-Smith; and an experienced backup guard, Shake Milton.
These departures have left a void both in terms of on-court production and the invaluable presence these players provided in the locker room. The emotional impact of these changes has not been lost on Fernandez or the team.
“We all have emotions. When you spend time with somebody you build relationships. When you see those people go, it’s tough,” Fernandez said, expressing the personal side of these professional decisions.
“I love those guys. They’ve been part of our family. We’ve seen them day to day, we know their families, what they’re about, and they’ve been amazing for us. Now they’re gone. … If you keep telling yourself this is part of the business, emotionally it’s not that easy.”
For Fernandez, the loss of these players signifies more than just a dip in skill and experience; it’s also about the absence of the relationships and spirit they contributed to the team.
This transitional period highlights the bittersweet nature of professional sports, where long-term strategy often comes at the expense of short-term pain and personal bonds.
Jordi Fernandez Laments Lack Of Leadership, Toughness After Nets Blow Lead https://t.co/ypZdncJxx9
— RealGM (@RealGM) December 30, 2024
