Latest news with #JordiFernández
Hamilton Spectator
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada Basketball names B.C.‘s Gordie Herbert next men's head coach
TORONTO - Gordie Herbert will take over as head coach of the senior men's national team in 2026, Canada Basketball announced Thursday. The Penticton, B.C., native led Germany to a FIBA World Cup title in 2023 and a fourth-place finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He replaces Jordi Fernández, who guided Canada to a historic bronze medal at the 2023 World Cup and its first Olympic berth in 24 years. A former national team player, Herbert has served as an assistant with Canada in multiple international windows. He's currently coaching FC Bayern Munich and has more than 30 years of experience in Europe and the NBA. Canada, ranked No. 6 in the world, is aiming for back-to-back Olympic appearances and a podium finish at the 2028 L.A. Games. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada Basketball names B.C.'s Gordie Herbert next men's head coach
TORONTO – Gordie Herbert will take over as head coach of the senior men's national team in 2026, Canada Basketball announced Thursday. The Penticton, B.C., native led Germany to a FIBA World Cup title in 2023 and a fourth-place finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He replaces Jordi Fernández, who guided Canada to a historic bronze medal at the 2023 World Cup and its first Olympic berth in 24 years. A former national team player, Herbert has served as an assistant with Canada in multiple international windows. He's currently coaching FC Bayern Munich and has more than 30 years of experience in Europe and the NBA. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. Canada, ranked No. 6 in the world, is aiming for back-to-back Olympic appearances and a podium finish at the 2028 L.A. Games. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2025.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brooklyn Nets endure ugly, yet important, loss to Toronto Raptors, Losing 116-86
Like school kids waiting for Winter break or 9-to-5ers waiting for their annual week of vacation, the Brooklyn Nets are crossing off days on a calendar at this point. Like that third Monday in December or the final Friday before Memorial Day weekend, today was a big one to draw a red 'x' over. That's not to say Brooklyn is or has been mailing it in lately — like so many of us did at times in school or do now at work. In fact, the Nets have done the opposite all year. They've been worker bees. They've been prized students. That's what's made them so frustrating — yet at the same time — admirable amid the 2024-25 campaign. Advertisement But ever since reacquiring their first round picks, Brooklyn's been waiting for a singular moment, which after tonight, now lies less than 10 games away. It's a lavish prize that they paid for months ago, had to dredge through a rough season to get to, and haven't had in 15 years. After losing to the Toronto Raptors tonight, it got a tad more glossy too. Things started this evening for the Nets in a similar fashion to Monday's game. That's for the better if you're all-in on the tank — and the worse for anyone still around hoping to watch some good hoop. Backboards and back irons shuddered in fear as the Nets threw up an assortment of bricks to begin a second straight game, opening 4-16 from the field and 1-8 from deep. It would have been a rare triple-less period from Brooklyn had Dariq Whitehead not made it in from Long Island in time. He finished with nine points, a steal, and an assist while shooting 3-9 from deep tonight in his first game up from the G-League since March 4th. Advertisement In fairness, Toronto's defense moved well out of the gates too. They stayed in Brooklyn's grill from start to finish. Jordi Fernández, a ball pressure connoisseur himself, noticed. 'I think their ball pressure really set the tone throughout the game,' the coach said. 'They didn't shoot like a great we should have given ourselves a chance, and we didn't, because we didn't take care of that possession game. And it's plain and simple.' Toronto leaped out to a 32-18 first period lead as a result, also benefitting from some tough makes off the fingertips of guys you'd never heard of before. Orlando Robinson (4-4 FGs) and Jonathan Mogbo (2-3 FGs), welcome to Brooklyn. But Toronto also got a few from the guys you have. Scottie Barnes, who I guess didn't get the message that this is a 'tank-off,' not only played tonight but hit a buzzer beater to close out the first. He finished the game with 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. He also brought some of that strong ball pressure Fernández touted! Advertisement While Brooklyn responded slightly better in the second frame, putting up 27 points on .450/.308 splits, Toronto dropped another 30-piece. Bringing over another theme from the Dallas game, it was their inability to hold onto the rock that kept them behind. While trailing 62-45 at halftime, the Nets sat with 13 turnovers leading to 21 extra Raptor points. By the end of the game, they accumulated 19 turnovers leading to 30 points. 'I mean, that's what they do,' Trendon Watford said postgame. 'They got a lot of guys that like to pick up and guard 94 feet. They force you to break out plays, get in the paint, and make some plays, and I think we struggled with that tonight.' Even after D'Angelo Russell, who had been scoreless through the first 24 minutes, woke up in the third, putting in a quick five points, Brooklyn and Toronto floated forward still with a 10-15 point barrier separating them on the scoreboard. The Nets cleaned up their turnovers in the third, giving away only four. Alas, holding onto the ball is only half the battle, and frankly, just the bare minimum. Brooklyn couldn't finish the possessions they saved, shooting just 9-23 from the field in the period. Amid the rough Russell night, the ball hit the ground like a cement brick after hopping all month. The Nets tallied only 16 assists tonight, making it their second fewest in a game this year. Exactly 10 days ago, they matched a franchise record for consecutive games in a season with 30+ assists. Advertisement Naturally, the Raptors went into the fourth up anyone who knows Toronto knows they sit on a tanking time bomb all game which usually goes off in the final quarter. While Brooklyn's tanking strategy has been harder to identify, Toronto's became clear over the past week or so. In order to fumble wins (or give young players more minutes if you ask Darko Rajaković) the Raptors often handcuff their best players to the bench down the stretch of games. So in the fourth, the question soon became, when will the Raptors hit the detonator? Well, whether it was Jim Gordon applying a signal blocker to the explosive in time for the Batman to fly it out over the bay, or just the Nets missing failing to find any offensive momentum all game, they waited too long. Toronto indeed subbed out Barnes with just over seven to play and RJ Barrett with six, but the Nets couldn't mount a comeback. Against a five of Cole Swider, Jamal Shead, Ochai Agbaji, Robinson, and Battle, Brooklyn mustered only 10 points in the final 6:15 despite leaving Claxton, Russell, Ziaire Williams, Keon Johnson, and Jalen Wilson out there for much of the run. Advertisement 'We were not comfortable,' Fernández said. We didn't get into anything. We were playing at halfcourt and we should have been better. We should have been better with the pressure release, and to get into counters and so forth, but we were not. When you do that and you get that many points of turnovers, it's really hard to win a game.' Brooklyn eventually called it themselves, putting in Maxwell Lewis, Clowney, and Dariq Whitehead for Russell, Claxton, and Williams with about three to play. The contest then got the quiet ending it deserved, being a war between two teams who can't hurt each other at this point, only themselves. Final: Toronto Raptors 116, Brooklyn Nets 86 Milestone Watch Nic Claxton became the third player this season with 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, five-plus offensive boards and five-plus blocks in a game, joining Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford. With that Nic Claxton's first assist tonight, he notched his 40th for the month, setting a career high for assists in any month. Cam Johnson also has a career-high dimes in a month this March. This was the Nets' 50th loss of the season, the second consecutive season of 50 losses. The last time that happened was in 2017-18. Women's Impact Night The Nets also celebrated Women's Impact Night this evening in Brooklyn. WNBA champs Jaylyn Sherrod and Breanna Steward were in attendance as the Barclays Center played a variety of montages commemorating the New York Liberty's title run this past summer. Advertisement Players also wore Liberty seafoam colored headbands, sleeves, and socks tonight. Jordi Fernández even addressed us pregame wearing a t-shirt of the same color. 'It was an amazing run, and I was able to experience it in a different way than I've ever experienced it before,' Fernández said pregame. 'I was very fortunate to fall into a winning team that way. So, obviously this is my team, the team that I'll impact they've had on the community, I think it's very important for me,' the coach went on. 'I bring my kids and we'll watch amazing basketball when we watch the Nets play and when we watch the Liberty play.' Next Up NBA: Brooklyn Nets at Los Angeles Clippers Does James Harden vs the Brooklyn Nets mean anything to anyone anymore? No? Well, let me raise you to Ben Simmons vs the Brooklyn the first time might I add. Advertisement That probably won't interest anyone either. Regardless, the Los Angeles Clippers will be in town on Friday night, featuring both Ben10 and The Beard. While most of you will surely be rooting for a loss, we have to hope it won't be as ugly as the last one Brooklyn suffered at LA's hands. Boxscore: Toronto Raptors 116, Brooklyn Nets 86 - NBA Game Highlights: Toronto Raptors 116, Brooklyn Nets 86 (Video) - NBA Turnovers part of the Nets recent struggles (Video) - Chris Shearn & Frank Isola - YES Network Orlando Robinson scores 23 points in the Raptors' 116-86 victory over the Nets - AP Orlando Robinson gets start, helps Raptors rout Nets - Reuters Nets improve NBA lottery chances after ugly loss to lowly Raptors - Brian Lewis - New York Post Ben Simmons tells The Post how he's putting Nets calamity behind him - Brian Lewis - New York Post Examining players who could be Nets' lottery pick - Brian Lewis - New York Post Nets Notebook: Day'Ron Sharpe sidelined vs. Raptors with right knee sprain - C.J. Holmes - New York Daily News Raptors' Darko Rajakovic reveals reasoning for Scottie Barnes' limited fourth-quarter minutes - Erik Slater - Clutch Points More from
New York Post
24-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Nets, Jordi Fernandez keeping NBA draft strategy close to the vest
When the NBA hosts its annual draft lottery on May 12 in Chicago, the Nets contingent there is assured of its first lottery pick since 2010. And coach Jordi Fernández is going to be on hand and ready for some franchise-changing fortune, hoping the pingpong balls will bounce Brooklyn's way. 'I will be in Chicago,' Fernández said. 'I will be with a group and as you guys know, there's a lot going on there. And we're just ready to be lucky.' If there was ever a time for the Nets to get lucky, this might be it. There are few inflection points this pivotal. The Nets have the sixth-best odds in the lottery, meaning they'll have a nine percent chance of winning the No. 1 pick and Cooper Flagg. The Nets have a 37.2 percent chance at getting a pick somewhere in the top 4. They have 50.3 percent odds of landing either seventh (29.7) or eighth (20.6). 'Obviously, we have a very important summer here,' said Fernández, who was at P.S. 1 in honor of Sant Jordi's Day, distributing roses and books in the customary tradition of the Catalonian holiday. 'And we'll be working and organized and excited because obviously with the draft and everything we have going on.' 3 Jordi Fernández played coy when asked if the Nets would trade any of their picks. NBAE via Getty Images The Nets have five picks in June — four first-rounders and their own second. Beyond the lottery, Brooklyn will select 19th, 26th, 27th and 36th. They also have 20-year-olds Dariq Whitehead and Noah Clowney, both younger than a third of this incoming class. It begs the question of whether the Nets would trade a pick. And how many prospects can they develop at the same time? 3 Nets general manager Sean Marks will have a busy offseason. Jason Szenes / New York Post 'Yeah, it's a good question, probably a question more for [general manager] Sean [Marks] than it is for me,' Fernández demurred. 'I'll be ready to coach whatever group we put together. And the coaches, as we always try to do, [will] help them get better and show them the way and the habits … and be connected and do all those things we've been preaching and build the identity we want to build.' Whoever Brooklyn does end up taking, Fernández will have an active role. 'There's going to be no surprises at the draft, who we draft, because he would've had a say in it,' Marks said. 'His staff is empowered to voice an opinion and we truly collaborate on this stuff. We have a year under our belts of understanding Jordi's system and how he wants to play and what sort of talent he's looking for, what attributes he's looking for. What's important to him is super important.' 3 Dariq Whitehead is one of the players the Nets can build around. NBAE via Getty Images Fernández was coy about what attributes are important to add in this draft — shooting, length, defense, etc. But whatever the case, his input will carry weight. 'Yeah, obviously this is my first time as a head coach going through this process, so it's going to be nothing like I've done before,' Fernández said. 'Sean always talks about collaboration, and that's what I'm ready for; I'm ready to help, and do whatever I can, to give my opinion. 'But at the end of the day, Sean and his group, what they do is they watch these kids live [and] on tape. They've been watching them for a while, so they're the experts. Me and the coaches will be there to support and help. So it's an exciting summer.'
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nets finish sixth-worst in NBA with Cooper Flagg lottery odds, draft haul prefacing rebuild
The Nets' 113-105 loss to the Knicks mercifully put an end to their regular season. Next comes the bigger stakes: the NBA draft lottery. Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernández reacts on the bench during the second half of a game against the New York Knicks. Fernández's squad fell in the contest, 113-105. Jason Szenes / New York Post In front of team owner Joe Tsai, the Nets finished with the league's sixth-worst record (26-56) — and thus the sixth-best odds in the lottery that will be the foundation of their rebuild. Advertisement Yes, the Nets have hoarded the most cap space in the NBA, but they also have a league-high 31 future draft picks, and five of them will come in this year's generational class. They'll have four in just the first round on June 25 at Barclays Center, including their own natural pick. That's why, despite everything the Nets slogged through this season — leading the league in games lost to injury, cycling through a team-record 27 players under contract — it was really only Year Zero of this rebuild. Next season will be Year One, with those yet-to-be-drafted rookies as the building blocks. 'As a fan base, you want to say, 'I remember when they drafted this guy; I've seen the development course of such-and-such player,'' Nets general manager Sean Marks told YES Network before Sunday's finale. Brooklyn Nets GM Sean Marks speaks with head coach Jordi Fernandez during practice at the HSS Training Center. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Marks is going to be the man responsible for picking those players, as well as the grand plan. Advertisement If the Nets don't accelerate the rebuild by trading for a superstar, they could flip solid veterans such as Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton for lesser players that won't hurt a 2025-26 tank but come attached with even more draft picks. CHECK OUT THE LATEST NBA STANDINGS AND NETS STATS The Nets at least helped themselves somewhat in the draft Sunday. The lottery won't be until May 12, and they'll have a nine percent shot at winning the right to select Duke forward Cooper Flagg and 37.2 percent odds at landing somewhere in the top four. Their natural pick has better than even odds at being seventh (29.8 percent) or eighth (20.6 percent). Duke's Cooper Flagg, the presumed top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, listens to a question during a news conference after his Blue Devils lost to Houston in the national semifinals at the Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament. AP They also hold the natural picks of the Bucks, Knicks and Rockets. Advertisement Their Milwaukee pick is in a three-way tie for 18th with Washington (from Memphis) and Miami (from Golden State). The Knicks selection is 26th, one spot ahead of the Houston pick. All ties will be broken in the coming days by random drawings in Secaucus, N.J., overseen by Ernst & Young. 'For obvious reasons … developing doesn't stop right now, we're going into a very important summer for us,' coach Jordi Fernández said. 'After this game … we'll probably evaluate, and we'll sit, Sean, myself. We'll have a plan. We've already started with our plan for what we're trying to do this summer. But to me, the most important thing has been things come at you very fast in this job, and you don't know until you know. Even though you have an idea of how you want to do things, then when you're on that chair, things change and you have to pivot one way or the other.'
