Inside The Nets

Do Nets Have Jordi Fernandez Problem?

Jordi Fernandez has been great for the Brooklyn Nets, but he may be too great.
Jeremy Brener|
Feb 7, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez reacts during the first half against the Miami Heat at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Feb 7, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez reacts during the first half against the Miami Heat at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have been better than expected all year long, which is why they sit at the end of the first week of March still with a chance at the postseason.

The goal for the season was to develop while taking on losses in hopes of giving the team the best chance to select Cooper Flagg or another blue-chip prospect in the talented 2025 NBA Draft.

However, Fernandez has the Nets competing above expectations, which prompted HoopsHype writer Mike Shearer to contemplate whether or not Brooklyn needs to tell its head coach to tone things down.

"The Nets have been too good for their own good. The team that came into the season expressly hoping to tank is currently battling with the 76ers to have the sixth-best lottery odds. It’s certainly not the front office’s fault; this roster is as untalented as exists in the league right now," Shearer writes.

"I blame Jordi Fernandez for being awesome. Normally, tanking teams will bench their stars with mysterious injuries if they’re trying to lose. I’m unsure how you can tell the head coach to be worse."

The Nets somewhat stripped Fernandez of his ability to be great by trading Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith during the season, but he has been able to bounce back.

The Nets may have the least NBA-ready roster in the league, but Fernandez's coaching may be among the best.

It's not easy to find the right coach in the NBA, but the Nets certainly found theirs, and that should be chalked up as a win even if it means losing out on the opportunity to obtain top prospects.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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