Jordi Fernandez reveals how Brooklyn is winning despite an ugly 2-12 start

The Brooklyn Nets are in the midst of their worst start (2-12) to a season in 16 years. However, after the team made an NBA-record five first-round picks in June’s draft, this season is about laying the foundation for future success. Second-year coach Jordy Fernandez, who compiled a 28-58 record over two seasons to start his career, is bringing wins wherever he can find them.

“A lot of you (in the media) won’t see (our) wins on the scoreboard,” Fernandez said after Tuesday’s 113-99 loss to the Boston Celtics. “We have high standards. Obviously, we want to win. We play to win, we compete to win. But also, the wins are (so that) the future Nets who will be playing on a winning team in a few years are getting their minutes and getting better. We’re figuring out how to make our players better.”

The Nets have been winning on the court early this season.

Third-year forward Noah Clowney emerged as a nightly contributor, averaging 13.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 41/38/69 shooting over the team’s last eight games. Beginners Egor Demin and Drake Powell was the bright spot as prominent members of the rotation. Meanwhile, Ben Saraf, Nolan Traore and Danny Wolff showed flashes during their G League performances.

But while Fernandez alluded to rookie minutes as a major positive this season, the Nets’ draft picks did not see the floor as expected.

Nets rookies struggle to earn playing time after historic draft

Demin, the No. 8 pick in June’s draft and the Nets’ starting point guard, ranks 11th among rookies with 20.7 minutes per game. Powell has played 22.8 minutes per game over his last six appearances, but has filled the veteran spot most nights. Meanwhile, Saraf started the Nets’ first five games before the team assigned him to the G League along with Traore and Wolff.

Despite having a tanking season, five Nets rookies were playing a total of 557 minutes. That’s fifth most in the league, behind the Charlotte Hornets (1,383), New Orleans Pelicans (881), Dallas Mavericks (700) and Philadelphia 76ers (573). Philadelphia’s first-round pick VJ Edgecombe played more minutes than all five Brooklyn rookies combined.

“(We’ll see) how (the rookies) grow. Obviously, minutes are very important, but responsibility is also very important,” Fernandez said. “I wasn’t happy with the way we competed a few games ago. And now four games in a row we’ve been playing respectable basketball, a competitive brand of basketball. And if that’s the case…we’ll live with the results.”

Despite limited playing time out of the gate, Brooklyn’s starters should see their minutes increase as the season progresses. Fernandez made it clear that playing time for draft picks will be earned, not given. That’s what the coach said The Nets aim for every one of their starters to play at least 60 games this season between the NBA and the G League.