Many viewers would take positives from the Brooklyn Nets’ efficiency in Sunday’s 118-113 loss to a full-strength Milwaukee Bucks crew. Jordi Fernández was not a part of it.
“Our protection was atrocious,” Fernandez stated candidly after the loss. “And if our guys who put on Brooklyn Nets jerseys do not play tougher protection, they do not belong on our roster. They usually comprehend it, they take delight of their protection, and we will watch movie. However that is the way you lose video games within the NBA. We have not guarded anybody within the final three minutes [of the third] and the final six minutes [of the fourth].”
The Nets led 81-69 when Fernandez changed his starters with 3:44 left within the third quarter. With a lineup that included Ben Simmons, Shake Milton, Jalen Wilson, Trendon Watford and Day’Ron Sharpe, they allowed the Bucks to shut on a 17-5 run to tie the sport going into the fourth.
Fernandez’s facet fought again to take a four-point lead with six minutes remaining. Nevertheless, Milwaukee would shut on a 23-13 run taking pictures 6 of 9 from the sector and 4 of 5 from three.
Nets run out of gasoline late in streaking loss to Bucks
The Nets double-teamed Giannis Antetokounmpo throughout the sport’s deciding stretch, a call Fernandez stated he regretted. Whereas the Bucks famous person completed with 34 factors on 14-of-22 taking pictures, the technique led to a few open threes for Bobby Portis and one for Khris Middleton.
“I imply, he took accountability, and that’s good. However on the finish of the day, it’s all in regards to the gamers,” stated Nic Claxton. “It’s as much as us to play with as a lot vitality as doable. And there was undoubtedly a decline late within the third and nearly all through many of the fourth quarter. So we now have to be higher.
Fernandez has not been shy about berating his gamers, each internally and in entrance of the media, within the uncommon moments when their efforts have fallen in need of expectations. The crew has responded to that robust love so far, bouncing again from a number of double-digit losses with upset victories.
“I feel that’s what actually good coaches do. They maintain you accountable,” Claxton stated. “They maintain you to excessive requirements. They’re easy. They let you know what they anticipate from you, and that is what we’d like, particularly with a youthful crew. We undoubtedly feed off it.
Dennis Schroder and Cam Johnson continued to energy the Nets on Sunday. Schroder had his finest efficiency of the season, posting 34 factors on 13-of-19 taking pictures with 11 assists and no turnovers. The 30-year-old is the fifth participant in Nets franchise historical past to put up 30-plus factors and 10-plus assists and not using a turnover in a sport, becoming a member of Jason Kidd, James Harden, Stephon Marbury and Sam Cassell.
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Johnson added 26 factors on 9-of-16 taking pictures from the sector and 4-of-8 from three. This efficiency marks a career-best begin for the veteran winger. He is averaging 18.8 factors with a 49/43/91 taking pictures time in 23 appearances this season, all profession highs.
In the meantime, Claxton put in his finest efficiency of the season after a gradual begin. The sixth-year middle posted a season-high 21 factors on 9-of-14 taking pictures with 10 rebounds, 4 assists, three steals and two blocks. This efficiency marks his first sport of 2024-25 with a number of steals and blocks after rating fourth within the NBA in actions (steals + blocks) the earlier two seasons.
The Nets’ efficiency towards the Bucks, who’ve gained 10 of their final 13 video games, is the most recent instance of their capability to compete with playoff-caliber groups even with out main scorer Cam Thomas. As Brooklyn continues to exceed expectations within the first 12 months of rebuilding, its gamers aren’t scoring ethical victories amid their shock begin.
“There’s nothing optimistic should you lose a sport, I really feel like that,” Schroder stated after Sunday’s loss. “I imply, should you win, you will get higher, you possibly can watch movie and take the positives from it. But when we lose, then we now have to look at the movie and say, “What did we miss?” We’ll simply come again [home]reap the benefits of tomorrow’s break day, then come again Tuesday and get to work.
