Nets coach Jordi Fernandez will lead Team Canada into the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Canadians will take on Greece Sunday in their opening game. AP Photo by Steve Marcus
Newly hired Nets coach Jordi Fernandez keeps getting held up from assuming his full duties here in Downtown Brooklyn.
But at least he’s still competing in the process.
The Nets had to wait for Sacramento to get knocked out of the NBA’s play-in tournament back in April to officially hire the Baradona, Spain native as he was busy trying to help the Kings into the first round of the postseason as the lead assistant on coach Mike Brown’s staff.
Now, after a flurry of offseason moves, including the deal that sent forward Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks for a bevy of picks and the end of Brooklyn’s participation in the Vegas Summer League, Fernandez is off tending to another team again.
Namely, Team Canada the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“When we opened camp in Toronto last week, I challenged each of the players to improve 1% each day, and every day since I’ve witnessed the work and dedication they have put in,” Fernández said before the Canadians opened their exhibition slate earlier this month.
“With 17 days to go until our first game of the tournament, that’s an opportunity to get 17% better,” he added. “From the players to the coaches to the staff, the incredible opportunity ahead of us to do something truly historic for Canada this summer is not lost on anyone.”
Fernandez has already made history as the first Spaniard to coach an NBA team. Now, he’s trying to help Canada’s men’s basketball team grab its first medal since 1936, when it took silver at the Berlin Games.
Last weekend, the Canadians beat Puerto Rico in a pre-Olympic tune-up in Orleans, France behind 21 points from Dillon Brooks and 15 apiece from Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Trey Lyles.
Team Canada is loaded with veteran talent like Melvin Ejim, Dwight Powell and Kelly Olynyk, a trio that has combined for…
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