Jordi Fernandez provided an in-depth look into his teaching philosophy, background, and views on international basketball throughout a latest look on the Fullcourt Passport podcast hosted by Ric Bucher and Bostjan Nachbar.
The Brooklyn Nets head coach, the primary Spaniard to carry an NBA head teaching job, addressed the league’s rising openness to worldwide coaches and stated the shift displays broader pondering throughout the NBA. “I believe it’s a pattern from the league on the whole,” Fernandez stated. “The NBA has performed an incredible job simply wanting exterior, studying from different components of the world.”
Fernandez emphasised that nationality is now not a barrier in teaching evaluations. “It’s virtually just like the NBA doesn’t care about your passport,” he stated. “They simply care like what are you able to carry to the sport.”
He defined how European and American basketball philosophies can complement one another slightly than compete. “It’s not higher or worse. It’s simply alternative ways of doing it,” Fernández stated. “In all probability mixing each will get you the perfect end result.”
Reflecting on his early begin, Fernandez stated his teaching path started as an adolescent in Badalona, the place basketball tradition formed his id. “I used to be in a position to begin teaching once I was 15,” he stated. “From there the journey started, and it was enjoyable otherwise.”
He credited ardour slightly than ambition because the driving power behind his rise. “I’ve by no means performed it for the cash,” Fernandez stated. “It was extra for the love and the thrill of getting higher and competing on the highest degree.”
When requested about his teaching “superpower,” Fernandez centered on accountability and relationships. “You must get to know the folks to get the perfect out of the folks,” he stated. “Accountability goes each methods.”
Fernandez acknowledged errors as a part of the occupation. “I do make numerous errors,” he stated. “Basketball is a recreation of errors.”
His expertise with nationwide groups additionally performed a key function in shaping his perspective. “The Olympics is the perfect competitors on this planet,” Fernandez stated. “You’re enjoying for the jersey and the title.”
He recalled the impression of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics on his improvement. “I used to be 10 years previous,” Fernandez stated. “It was the start of a brand new period for the Olympics.”
Fernandez additionally mentioned European participant improvement and expressed concern about restricted alternatives for younger prospects. “We complain they go to the NCAA or the NBA, however we don’t make them play,” he stated. “Growth must be higher.”
Because the Nets navigate a rebuilding season within the 2025–26 marketing campaign, Fernandez stated holding one of many NBA’s 30 head teaching jobs stays a duty. “Having one is an honor,” he stated. “The NBA is not only making it. It’s surviving it.”
