TITLE: Fernandez Leans on Rookies as Nets Prioritize Evaluation Over Wins
SLUG: nets-youth-focus-fernandez-rotation-76ers
CONTENT:
Brooklyn coach Jordi Fernandez is leaning hard into player development, sitting several veterans late in games as the Nets move through the final month of the season.
On Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia, Brooklyn erased a 21-point hole with a lineup made up almost entirely of youngsters before falling to the 76ers for its third consecutive loss. Noah Clowney, Terance Mann and Ziaire Williams watched the entire fourth quarter, mirroring a strategy Fernandez used two nights earlier in Atlanta when Clowney and center Nic Claxton remained on the bench during another tight finish.
“We have young guys, rookies playing in the fourth quarter and getting a lot of experience,” Fernandez said after Saturday’s rally. “Playing competitive minutes is way better than just playing minutes.”
Rookie center Danny Wolf logged 15 points and 10 rebounds and was the only regular rotation player to exceed three minutes in the final period. The comeback push was fueled by Josh Minott, two-way forwards E.J. Liddell and Chaney Johnson, and guard Malachi Smith, who signed a 10-day contract Saturday morning.
Smith makes NBA debut at 26
Saturday marked Smith’s first NBA appearance after nearly three years in the G League. The 26-year-old logged 23 minutes, finishing with four points, three rebounds and an assist while his mother and stepfather watched from the stands.
“It was a dream come true,” Smith said. “Single parent, had me at 20, driving 12 hours for AAU trips and six hours to watch me play in college. So she was like, ‘I’m not going to miss this.’”
More rest ahead for Porter, others
Forward Michael Porter Jr. missed the Philadelphia game with an ankle sprain, and Fernandez hinted that similar rest days could become common as Brooklyn evaluates fringe roster pieces. “By the rules, he’ll rest whatever he needs to rest,” the coach said. “If we have to give looks to these other guys because we want to see what we have and the plan we want to put in the future, this is going to be very important for us.”
Before tip-off Saturday, Fernandez told reporters there were no injury concerns behind his decision to sit Claxton and Clowney during the fourth quarter in Atlanta. “They’re both good,” he explained. “It goes back to seeing guys that haven’t had a chance to play those minutes, because it gives me a better sense of who they are as players and what I can see as they develop.”
Source: HoopsRumors
