The New York Knicks-Brooklyn Nets rivalry has taken on an added layer this season. Newly hired Knicks head coach Mike Brown has been a mentor to Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, who served as an associate head coach with the Sacramento Kings from 2022 to 2024.

While Brown and Fernandez still share a close bond, the New York head coach made an NSFW declaration ahead of Sunday’s matchup with Brooklyn.
“It’s great coaching against Jordi. I’m just happy for him and his family,” Brown said. “He’s a great young coach. He’s got a young team, obviously, so they gotta figure things out. Anytime I get a chance to see him, I always love to see him, but I want to kick his ass.”

Fernandez first met Brown while working with the now Knicks coach’s son, Elijah, at a basketball training program in Las Vegas. Impressed with Fernandez’s approach, Brown hired the Spanish coach in a player development role with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Fernandez spent seven years with the Cavaliers, two of which he served as head coach of Cleveland’s G League affiliate. He then spent six years with the Denver Nuggets before reuniting with Brown in Sacramento and ultimately landing Brooklyn’s head coaching gig.

Fernandez earned league-wide praise last season while leading the tanking Nets to a 9-10 start before finishing 26-56.

“I wouldn’t be here without Mike Brown. I have a lot of love for him as a person, coach, mentor,” Fernandez said ahead of Sunday’s game. “He brought me from Spain to the US, so I wouldn’t be here literally without him. He also hired me as an associate head coach, and I think it was a big platform for me to get a job as a head coach.

“It’s not just those two moments, but a long relationship and learning from someone like him who is very successful and a great, great person.”
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/brooklyn-nets/nets-news-mike-brown-nfsw-declaration-before-facing-jordi-fernandez