Brooklyn Nets Struggling Early in the Season: A Focus on Egor Dëmin
Through their first five games, the Brooklyn Nets find themselves living up to expectations: young and struggling. As they prepare to face the Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center this Sunday, the team is still on the hunt for its first win.
Egor Dëmin: The Spotlight Rookie
Amidst the youthful roster, Egor Dëmin shines in the spotlight as the eighth overall pick in the draft. However, he has yet to attempt a shot within the three-point arc, having taken all 22 of his attempts from beyond the line, hitting a commendable 40.9%.
Dëmin’s Drive to Improve
Following a recent practice, Dëmin emphasized the importance of getting into the paint:
“Just trying to get to the paint as much as I can to get the angles. Not going around the player, but through,” he stated.
His goal is clear:
“Looking to finish,” he added.
Team Strategy: Aggression and Development
Dëmin’s role in the team’s offense involves utilizing the pick-and-roll effectively. For head coach Jordi Fernández, it’s crucial that Dëmin and the point guards adopt an aggressive approach:
“It’s important for our point guards to be aggressive, and from there, he’ll figure it out,” Fernández noted. He underscored Dëmin’s potential as a shooter and passer, believing that heightened aggression can positively impact the team’s performance.
Current Team Dynamics
As one of only three teams still seeking a victory this season—alongside the New Orleans Pelicans and Indiana Pacers—the Nets are navigating through challenges tied to inexperience. Dëmin isn’t the only rookie in the spotlight; point guard Ben Saraf has also seen considerable minutes.
Teammate Michael Porter Jr. weighed in on the situation:
“We have a lot of rookie point guards who are going to be great in this league for a long time, but they’re still rookies,” he observed. “It’s really hard to win when that point guard spot isn’t solidified.”
Coaching Perspective: Growth Over Results
In response to Porter’s comments, Coach Fernández was hesitant to attribute the early struggles solely to Dëmin and other young players.
“Nobody’s perfect here. We’re gonna continue to get better. I think this group is growing,” he said, emphasizing the importance of a process-oriented approach to player and team development. “Growth comes with pain.”
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Dëmin acknowledged the challenge of adapting to the physicality of the NBA, revealing his previous reliance on shooting:
“I got comfortable in the first couple games with my shooting and I was kind of settling back with that, which is something I’ve got to change,” he explained.
He remains determined to leverage his shooting while also penetrating the paint:
“When we get to the paint, something good is gonna happen.”
Conclusion
As the Nets face the 76ers this Sunday, the team is focused on improving through their challenges. Dëmin embodies the hope of a young roster that, with time and perseverance, can rise from the current struggles.
For updates and analysis on the Nets, check out more on ESPN’s NBA section and stay tuned for future developments in Brooklyn’s journey this season.
