Like many other young players on the Brooklyn Nets, Jalen Wilson looks to improve his game during the 2024-25 season. Wilson is one of the most promising offensive threats on Brooklyn's roster, but he knows the right support and leadership will help him unlock his potential. First-year head coach Jordi Fernandez is aiming for the optimal playing strategy to help the Nets develop. Wilson provided insight into what fans can expect during the upcoming campaign.
Fernandez is coming off a respectable Team Canada coaching stint in which he helped the squad to a bronze runner-up finish. Fernandez was hard on himself after the team failed to medal, claiming he should have put his players in better positions to thrive offensively. His accountability is a positive sign for what he will bring to the Nets his in his first year.
In terms of on-the-court strategy for Brooklyn, Fernandez is drawing his off time as associate head coach of the Sacramento Kings. Jalen Wilson revealed that Fernandez wants the Nets to prioritize playing with pace.
"I think the main part is playing fast, playing confident," Wilson said in regards to Fernandez's philosophy, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “Not being out there settling and not being unsure of anything. But everything at full speed and understanding that you’ve got to attack in everything … whether it’s shooting, dribbling, finding the open teammate, running down the floor sprinting to the corner, those different things.”
How will the Nets fare playing fast in 2024-25?
Brooklyn can certainly play to Jordi Fernandez's philosophy. Their roster is filled with athletic players who can run the floor and play fast. Jalen Wilson showed he was adept at a quick tempo both during his Long Island Nets tenure in 2023-24 and in his 2024 NBA Summer League stint. Most notably, the rising second-year forward looks to be a three-point threat in transition.
Furthermore, Brooklyn possess one of the most dangerous fast-break weapons in the league.
Ben Simmons should significantly impact the Nets' pacing and transition during the upcoming season. When he was healthy and on the floor during the 2023-24 season, Simmons often spearheaded Brooklyn's fastbreaks, finding his teammates for open threes and finishing inside. The elephant in the room that follows Simmons is his ability to stay injury-free. If he has minimal health woes, he should be a force for Brooklyn's desired pace of play.
It will be interesting to see how Jordi Fernandez's Nets look when they tip the 2023-24 season off in October.