With 29 Games left, here's what matters most for the Nets

"There's a difference between playing and growing. Egor Démin and Nolan Traoré have already shown flashes of what they can be with the offense in their hands. The numbers reflect that. You can see the pace, the shot-making, the glimpses of real playmaking. But stats alone don't build anything. For young players, reps only matter if they come in moments that genuinely test them."

"That means late-game possessions that demand poise, out-of-timeout sets that have to be executed cleanly, defensive stretches where you must guard without fouling, and third-quarter swings when the other team makes a run and you have to weather the storm without letting the game spiral out of reach. If this stretch is truly about development, it has to be intentional. That's the kind of experience that carries over and ultimately builds real depth."

The Nets must convert playing time into true development by giving young players meaningful, late-game reps that test poise, decision-making and defensive discipline. Reps should include out-of-timeout execution, defensive stretches without fouling, and third-quarter resilience when opponents rally. Head coach Jordi Fernandez's blueprint emphasizes ball pressure, deflections and making opponents uncomfortable. Role players like Ochai Agbaji, Josh Minott, Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Ziaire Williams, Drake Powell, Nic Claxton and Day'Ron Sharpe must sustain that standard. The final 29 games are an evaluation window to identify who can maintain effort and provide real depth going into the offseason.

Read at New York Daily News