The Nets had their first extended scrimmage of training camp during Thursday’s practice.
The roster was split into two teams and the scrimmage lasted for about three quarters, according to first-year head coach Jordi Fernandez. Fernandez said the runs were “extremely competitive” and that he was satisfied with the team’s effort and communication as a whole.
“I think the team’s energy and the spirit, like how fun it’s been so far,” Fernandez said when asked about what stood out. “When it’s close and a competitive game, it makes it even better. And that’s how the game was. So, I think the guys enjoyed it because it was less drills and more playing. Players love to play, and coaches love to practice.”
The scrimmage itself, conducted inside the Nets’ practice facility in Brooklyn, ended in a tie. While players reportedly asked to continue and anoint a definitive winner, Fernandez had seen enough by that point and made the call to end practice on a high note.
The team was not thrilled about Fernandez’s decision.
“Yeah, we didn’t like that,” Cam Johnson said.
“It was definitely chippy. People were all over the ground, diving for the ball, pushing each other, maybe some elbows, maybe some knees, maybe some trips, but it was good. You know, at the end of the day, we’re a family, and we know that, and we came together. But in the moment, we were definitely at odds.”
Johnson, Ziaire Williams, Ben Simmons, Trendon Watford, Jacky Cui, Amari Bailey, Killian Hayes and Day’Ron Sharpe were placed on one team.
While it was never confirmed who was on the other team, it was likely built around some combination of Cam Thomas, Nic Claxton, Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Schröder, Noah Clowney, Jalen Wilson, Shake Milton, Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin and Dariq Whitehead.
Veteran forward Bojan Bogdanović, still recovering from offseason surgery, did not participate in the scrimmage.
“It doesn’t mean anything as far as like groups or starters or bench or rotation,” Fernandez said. “Going into [our first preseason game], we’re going to define the first groups to play but that doesn’t mean it’s going to stay like that. I want to give chances to as many players as I think deserve it and they should be playing those spots.”
Steve Hetzel coached one team while Juwan Howard coached the other. “It was the best day for me because I could watch and sit and enjoy the show,” Fernandez said. To better simulate game-like conditions, each assistant had his own staff, with an analytics person and an athletic trainer. Both teams did 20 minutes of walk-throughs and warmups before the scrimmage began.
It was Williams, first time scrimmaging with Simmons, who was limited to just 15 games last season because of a pinched nerve in his lower back. Simmons told reporters on Monday that this is the healthiest he has been in years. Williams’ assessment of the scrimmage seems to support that claim.
“First of all, I didn’t realize just how huge he is, he’s a big body. It’s crazy,” Williams said of Simmons. “He’s so versatile, man. I’m a cutter, so there’s nothing a cutter loves more than a point guard who could pass the ball, right? So, he’s always just two three steps ahead, making the right play, pushing in transition. Me and him have connected a lot already in just these two, three weeks.”
Fernandez has made it clear that he wants Brooklyn to play fast and physical at both ends of the court. Thursday’s scrimmage was the closest thing to a full NBA game that this Nets roster has seen three days into training camp.
So, the scrimmage not only served as a conditioning check five days out from the team’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Clippers next Tuesday, but also gave Fernandez and his staff a chance to teach new concepts in real time.
“It’s been a lot of running, of movement, and a lot of it is a playstyle,” Johnson said. “They’re urging us to pick up full-court and really play hard on that end and pressure the ball. And those things, as you’re playing in scrimmages and you’re playing in live play are easy to slack off of if you’re not fully in shape. So yeah, we’re playing through some fatigue. Everybody is, and they’re holding us accountable on that end, which is going to go a long way in us playing at that high level of conditioning.”
