Ahead of Sunday’s meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers, Nets head coach Jordi Fernández said the team used its three-day layoff to reset. The first day was about recovery; the next two were devoted to “really good team practices” focused on the defensive fundamentals that have slipped early in the season.
“The guys embraced it, embraced the struggle, especially defensively and going back to the basics defensively and try to do those little things,” Fernández said. “The guys know the schemes. It’s just a matter of now executing technique, communication, all those things starting with more pressure.”
Whatever defensive progress Brooklyn hoped it made over the break didn’t take long to face a test. The Nets entered with the league’s worst defensive rating at 129.1, up against a 76ers offense humming at 122.3. With or without Joel Embiid, containing Tyrese Maxey and rookie V.J. Edgecombe was challenging enough.
“They have guards that can really score, and that’s fun to watch, right?” Fernández said. “So, on our end is, how do you stop that guard power, the ability they have to shoot 3s? It’s going to be a challenge for where we are now defensively to face a team that’s so good offensively.”
Fernández stressed that defense isn’t about one player guarding his man but five working in unison. He said learning to pressure the ball, communicate in pick-and-rolls and stay connected is all teachable. And if that progress doesn’t show, he put the blame squarely on the coaches.
“I think that’s important,” Fernández said. “You can learn. You can learn all those things.”
LINEUP CHANGE
Last Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks, Tyrese Martin closed the fourth quarter at point guard, and Fernández said that group delivered one of the Nets’ “best defensive quarters” of the season. On Sunday, the 26-year-old earned his first start, replacing rookie Ben Saraf.
“He’s a grown up and he’s had an amazing summer, and he’s a rock star,” Fernández said. “He does everything we ask him to the best of his abilities.”
Martin earned praise throughout training camp for his steady play, scoring bursts and versatility. On a two-year deal worth about $2.8 million, he’s averaged 7.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists through his first five games this season.
WOLF OUT AGAIN
Danny Wolf can’t catch a break. The No. 27 overall pick missed Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia with a left ankle sprain, an injury he suffered during shootaround before the team’s season opener. He’s the only one of Brooklyn’s five rookie first-rounders yet to make his debut.
