Building a winning culture isn’t just for championship teams. In fact, it’s even more important for teams like the Brooklyn Nets, who are in a rebuilding phase.
Sure, the wins might not come easy, but building a strong bond between teammates can make all the difference.
So, the Nets are all-in on using training camp travel to strengthen their team chemistry—something that could make or break their season.
And you might think team chemistry doesn’t really matter when a team’s expected to lose a lot.
But if you ask the Nets, they’ll tell you that’s exactly when it matters the most.
- Team chemistry is everything, especially for a rebuilding team like the Nets. It’s the foundation they’re leaning on during a challenging season.
- Traveling for training camp helps the team spend time together, get to know each other better, and create a sense of unity that translates to the court.
- Veteran players like Dorian Finney-Smith are stepping up to lead, using the low expectations set by critics as motivation to prove everyone wrong.
Why Chemistry Matters Even in Tough Seasons
There’s this idea out there that team chemistry only matters for teams who are winning or contending for a title. But that’s far from the truth.
And if you ask Coach Jordi Fernandez, he’ll tell you that it’s even more important for teams like the Nets, who are rebuilding and expected to face a tough season.
Fernandez knows that if the team can get close, they’ll fight for each other, on and off the court, even when things get rough.
“It’s important because when you’re at home, you get to go to work, spend time with your teammates and then go home and be with family, friends,” Fernandez explained.
“But when you’re on the road, that’s all you have is each other.”
This shared experience of being away from the comforts of home allows players to develop stronger bonds through daily interactions, team dinners, and group activities.
Dorian Finney-Smith, one of the more experienced players, agrees with this.
He knows that teams that are close and can handle things without always needing a coach’s help are usually more successful.
“The most connected teams always will be the best team,” Finney-Smith said.
“Teams that can get on each other, figure things out amongst the players without the coaches tend to be the best team.”
Bonding Activities on the Road: The Secret to Success
For the Nets, it’s not only about showing up to practice and calling it a day. The team has been doing all kinds of bonding activities to build trust and closeness.
Finney-Smith talks about how they’ve been having dinners, exercising, and doing other activities to really get to know each other.
“We’ve been doing a lot of exercises and dinners, just to get to know each other and become closer,” Finney-Smith shared.
Aside from having a laugh, the core focus is building the trust and understanding that will, ultimately, strengthen the team.
If you think about it, the more they know each other, the better they’ll be able to communicate and work together on the court.
This is especially important for a team trying to find its footing in a rebuilding year.
At the end of the day, coaches can only do so much, and players need to be able to handle things on their own.
And when the Nets players get to know each other better off the court, it sets them up for success when they’re on the court.
Cam Thomas Stepping Up in a Bigger Role
Another focus for the Nets this season is helping individual players like Cam Thomas develop their skills within the team.
With Mikal Bridges’s departure, Thomas is expected to step up and take on a bigger role, especially in scoring.
Thomas has always been a scorer, but with more shots coming his way, some are worried about his shot selection. Coach Fernandez, however, is all for letting Thomas do what he does best.
“I want him to take the shots because that’s his strength,” Fernandez said. “He’s a very good scorer, and he’s doing a good job at finding where his shots come from.”
Fernandez isn’t worried about how many shots Thomas will take. He believes that’s what Thomas does best and that it’ll all work out as they play through the season.
Finney-Smith and Schroder Want to Prove the Doubters Wrong
Dorian Finney-Smith and Dennis Schroder, two of the Nets’ veteran leaders, are doing their best to keep the team focused.
Even with trade rumors swirling around Finney-Smith, he’s staying locked in and using the doubters as motivation.
There’s been talk that the team might only win 17 games this season, but Finney-Smith isn’t having it.
“They’re saying we’re going to win 17 games. I feel like this team should take that as disrespect and use it as motivation,”
The leadership from guys like Finney-Smith and Schroder is helping the younger players stay focused. Sometimes, you only need a little perspective to change your whole mindset. And there’s nobody better to give that than these two vets.
Even though they’re not favorites to win, they’re not about to give up and tank the season.
They’re determined to fight every game and prove the doubters wrong.
The vets have also been having open conversations with Coach Fernandez and general manager Sean Marks, so that everyone’s on the same page.
The coaching staff clearly values transparency, and they’re all working together to create a healthy team environment.
Moving Forward and Beating the Odds
It’s no secret that the Brooklyn Nets are facing an uphill battle this season.
With the oddsmakers projecting only 18.5 wins, it would be easy for them to throw in the towel.
But that’s not happening.
The Nets are using these low expectations as fuel to prove everyone wrong.
Finney-Smith believes that Ben Simmons’ health could be a game-changer. If Simmons can get back to his old form, it might just shake up the league.
“If bro gets back on the court, I feel like it’s gonna help our team a lot, and we’re going to shake the NBA,” Finney-Smith said.
There’s no denying that the Nets know they’re in for a tough season.
But with the bond they’re building on the road, the leadership of veterans, and the development of players like Cam Thomas, they’re not going down without a fight.
With a bit of luck, the chemistry they’re creating will be the secret sauce that helps them punch above their weight this year.
So, while the season might not end with a championship, the Brooklyn Nets are laying the foundation for something bigger.
They’re building trust, accountability, and a strong culture that could set them up for success in the future.
And if there’s one thing we’ve learned from the Nets so far, it’s that anything can happen when a team has each other’s backs.
