Nets rookie Egor Dëmin got his first career start on Friday.
More could happen if Cam Thomas is out long-term.
Dëmin had eight points, seven assists, three rebounds, a steal and just one turnover in 23:03 against the Pistons.
Fans who are deeply invested in this youth movement can watch the guard develop in real time in the pick-and-roll.
“He had seven assists in one turnover against a team that forced us into 20 turnovers, so that’s pretty good. And he’ll keep getting better,” Jordi Fernández said. “It’s a good way to experience those minutes. Those 23 minutes are extremely valuable. He did good things. He shot the ball, he was aggressive with his 3s. I’m very happy with everything, his play and everything. So ready for the next one.”
The next one is Sunday at the Garden against the rival Knicks.
After having to guard Cade Cunningham, next up is Jalen Brunson.
“He’s still getting used to the physicality of the game, the schemes and the communication,” Fernández said. “Right now the game is moving so fast for him. When we’re all young everything is so intense, and at a certain point when you have more experience and a different kind of confidence, things start to slow down.”
“So he’s a very smart kid. He’s asking questions, he’s working on them, so I know he’ll understand all that. His superpower on defense [is] his length and rebounding. And if you look [Friday]he grabbed three rebounds. And he should be able to get a lot of deflections because… his height and his defensive positioning are very good. So definitely continue to grow at that end of the floor.’
Dëmin forced a few ill-advised shots in the 9-0 run the Nets gave up to end the first half, and Fernández pulled him aside for a teachable moment.
The teenager’s reaction underscored his maturity.
“I think it’s great,” Dëmin said. “It’s really good for everyone – not just for me, but for the whole group in general – knowing that Jordi is really trying to help us and help the group. And he’s super open to communicating and telling us what exactly he wants from us, and not just from the group, but from each of us as staff.
“And for me it’s important to hear some advice from him during the game, before the game, after the game, things like this. So I think it’s really cool.”
Friday marked the first time all five of the Nets’ first-round rookies were healthy.
Dëmin and Drake Powell faced Detroit, while Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf and Nolan Traore were in the G-League to officiate Long Island’s season opener.
Saraf came off the bench and had 11 of his team-high 21 points in the fourth quarter.
Wolf added 15 points and 11 rebounds after a slow start, while Traore finished with 12 points and seven assists.
Saraf, Wolf and Traore will all miss the Knicks game, still in the G-League.
Thomas (hamstring) and Haywood Highsmith (knee) are injured.
The Nets have sold out four of their five home games despite a rebuild and are playing at 99.7 percent capacity.
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