The Nets practiced for the primary time in what felt like without end on Wednesday.
Drew Timme, who inked a two-year deal final week, stepped foot contained in the workforce’s observe facility in Brooklyn for the primary time. Two-way gamers Tyson Etienne, Tosan Evbuomwan and Reece Beekman have been additionally current, together with Dariq Whitehead, who spent many of the 2024-25 season on G League project with these guys on Lengthy Island.
“It was good just to get out on the same page and dig into some things that I’m pretty sure all the guys who hadn’t been here haven’t gotten a lot of reps, so it was pretty good,” Trendon Watford stated.
Cam Thomas, who was dominated out for the season in March due to a left hamstring pressure, was even seen getting up photographs as gamers and coaches trickled out of the gymnasium. Whereas the Nets are removed from wholesome at this level within the league 12 months, practising for the primary time shortly, with the observe court docket full of new and outdated faces, served as a late-season optimistic for the group.
Continuity issues, even with the playoffs out of attain. And lesser-known gamers nonetheless have six video games left to make their greatest impression, which provides most of this roster one thing to play for down the stretch.
“There’s going to be times, and there’s been times that we’ve given opportunities and minutes to some other guys, and maybe we will again,” head coach Jordi Fernandez stated. “Every guy, every player that has been on the court, for us, for the most part, has competed at a high level, and tried to do the right thing. So that’s what I want to do for six more games.”
Timme has averaged 13 factors and 6.3 rebounds on 60.7% taking pictures throughout his first three NBA video games. Etienne scored eight factors in his NBA debut towards the Clippers final Friday. Guys like Whitehead and Beekman are nonetheless making an attempt to show that they are often dependable backcourt choices within the league. And Evbuomwan has showcased spectacular versatility in his 22 appearances for Brooklyn.
Timme, Etienne, Beekman and Maxwell Lewis performed main four-quarter minutes towards the Clippers. The Nets have been blown out 132-100 however gained the ultimate body 31-27. And that’s the precise kind of effort Fernandez is in search of.
“Didn’t go the way we wanted, but they were ready to play, they played in the fourth quarter, and they won the quarter,” Fernandez stated. “I’m confident that whenever I put them on the court, they’ll play hard and try to challenge everybody else. That’s what’s all about; taking advantage of your opportunities.”
