Nets' Jordi Fernandez is the latest coach to want more scoring from Ben Simmons
Jordi Fernandez, Nets head coach, speaks at a news conference before a game against the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. Credit: Errol Anderson
ORLANDO — It’s never too early to challenge your team and Nets coach Jordi Fernandez isn’t afraid to be direct after starting 0-2.
In the third quarter of the Nets’ loss at the Magic Friday, Ben Simmons scored the team’s first seven points on three consecutive drives to the rim. But he didn’t keep that up and also picked up his fourth and fifth foul in the period.
Fernandez, in turn, issued a directive very familiar to those who’ve coached Simmons before. He needs more shots from his point guard.
“I love the aggressiveness, for sure. Ben has got to touch the paint,” Fernandez said. “He’s got to finish at the rim. I want those attempts to go up to 10 to 15 attempts per game. Because then when he does that and he's very aggressive in the open court and touches the paint, good things happen.”
It’s a challenge past coaches have faced with Simmons. Former Nets coach Jacque Vaughn had the same demands in 2022-23 after Simmons struggled following his first back surgery the previous offseason.
Simmons faced similar calls at the end of his 76ers tenure in 2021. Yet Fernandez is hoping to buck the trend and unlock more from the former All-Star.
It’s a tough ask given Simmons’ extreme pass-first mentality. The last time he took at least 10 shots was on Jan. 17, 2023. In 59 career Nets games, Simmons took that many shots only three times.
Of course, Simmons has been frequently injured and had a second back surgery in March. He still had eight assists Friday despite foul trouble.
Nevertheless, Fernandez isn’t holding back on what he needs from Simmons, who took nine combined shots in two games.
“I don't want him to drive to pass. I keep telling him I want him to drive to the rim and be aggressive,” Fernandez said. “That's what the team needs from him. That's what his teammates want him to do. And then as we all know, he's an unbelievable playmaker and then everything is going to open up.”
Fernandez’s job wasn’t going to be easy with the Nets in rebuild mode and a roster that lacked scoring. His toughest task was always going to be managing Simmons and figuring out how to get the best from him.
But as he’s done since he arrived, Fernandez is attacking it head on and challenging Simmons like any player. That happened Friday to Jalen Wilson, who played just 13 minutes Friday after 34 Wednesday.
Fernandez’s reasoning? He wants Wilson to improve defensively despite scoring 16 points in the season opener. Wilson understood the message.
“I’m always down for what the team needs to do,” said Wilson, who was held scoreless against the Magic. “It’s been who I am my entire life. So watch film, get better and approach Milwaukee the right way.”
Time will tell if Simmons changes as well and if Fernandez is the coach to get from Simmons what few have the last few seasons.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
