Nets hold their Practice in the Park to meet, greet fans
Nets head coach Jordi Fernández speaks to the media during training camp at the HSS Training Center on Oct. 4. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The Nets’ preseason home opener is Monday but players got a nice taste of fan support Sunday at Potomac Playground.
The team’s annual Practice in the Park drew a strong crowd after moving to Bedford-Stuyvesant from previous years at Brooklyn Bridge Park. It gave the event a more loose feel that resembled a park jam instead of a formal showcase.
“It’s definitely always good to be out, being in Brooklyn and experiencing the open practice with the fans,” Cam Thomas said. “I always look forward to it every year.”
At one point, Dorian Finney-Smith went from judging a pre-practice dunk contest to being a prop for it. One of the dunkers brought Finney-Smith on the court and then jumped over him for a one-handed dunk, which fired up the crowd.
The dunk contest came after a three-point contest. Rapper Jadakiss brought the mood up even more as a surprise guest and he performed several songs before the Nets were introduced one by one.
It was part of a fun-filled day where fans could get hair cuts, their faces painted or shoes cleaned while enjoying various food trucks. Players tossed out gifts and basketballs and later signed autographs. Thomas, Simmons and Nic Claxton drew some of the biggest crowds.
Jordi Fernandez also addressed the crowd as some fans got their first taste of what to expect from him as coach. “Connecting with you guys is the most important thing, feeling your support,” Fernandez said. “So thanks for giving us love and being here.”
Rookies Yongxi Cuiand Jaylen Martin closed the event by leading a “Happy Birthday” sing-along for Thomas, who turned 23 Sunday.
For the Nets, who play three preseason games this week, the open practice gave them a chance to relax. It was also a return to the event’s usual format after last year’s open practice was moved to Barclays Center because of rain.
“Anytime you get a chance to see an NBA player, they’re going to come out and support,” Thomas said. “It shows that they love their team. They love supporting us so we’ll try to give our best this year for them and play with that same energy on the court.”
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
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