The Nets' schedule is about to get brutal: 'We have a lot to prove'

NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets (4-4) were in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings as of Election Day, one spot behind the New York Knicks (3-3) and four games out of first place. Their first seven opponents — Atlanta, Orlando, Milwaukee, Denver, Memphis, Chicago and Detroit — had a combined record of 21-32 entering Wednesday’s matchups.

Brooklyn had played three games in four days before Tuesday’s break, so it was not surprising to see that head coach Jordi Fernandez chose to emphasize rest and recovery at practice this week. Because as brutal as the Nets’ schedule has been, it is about to get much tougher.

“Just trying to get better, understanding that you obviously can’t come in here and just practice for two hours,” forward Jalen Wilson said. “We got a back-to-back coming up. So, finding ways to get better through our script, changing defensive things, just all types of things like that. I feel like it can get you over the edge as far as not being able to do it all physically, but mentally, and just being prepared.

Nine of their next 11 games are on the road, starting with a three-game road trip this weekend where they will face the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans. Those three teams have a combined record of 18-6 entering Wednesday’s games. Cleveland (8-0) and Boston (7-1) are not just the top two teams in the East, but also the only two teams in the conference with a winning record.

The Nets have proven to be a much better team than they were given credit for entering the season. Fernandez and his team deserve their flowers for continuing to defy expectations. But this upcoming 11-game stretch will paint a clearer picture of just how good this group can be. They will face Boston twice, the Knicks twice, the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns.

“Playing [these] really good teams that’s going to be a very, very big challenge for what we’re trying to do here,” Fernandez said. Obviously, I’m not looking at the Cleveland game or the New Orleans game. I’m looking at the Boston Celtics first because they’re the first team and then we’ll go from there. I think it’s pretty cool. Playing against any team in the NBA should be a great challenge but playing against the champs it’s even better.”

Brooklyn was 0-4 against Boston in 2023-24, 1-3 against Cleveland and 0-2 against New Orleans. Its worst loss of last season was suffered inside TD Garden, an embarrassing 136-86 blowout on Valentines Day. Former head coach Jacque Vaughn was fired shortly after.

“We have a lot to prove, man,” Cam Johnson said. “They’re coming off a championship. We have a lot to prove. It’s been eight games. We’ve won four games. We just have to take it day-by-day, game-by-game, and come out and compete. At the end of the day, our grit, our toughness, our competitive spirit, it’s going to have to be there every game for us to be successful. We know that. So, you respect your opponents, and obviously, Boston is a highly capable team. So, we’re going to have to bring it that game.”

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