«Trying to stop Wemby feels like something beyond normal human limits». First weeks of the NBA for Egor Dёmin
Hey, Sports!
Free time is almost non-existent right now – practices, games, recovery, sleep, repeat. Here on the blog, I’ll try to share a bit more about how I live and what the NBA looks like from the inside. By the way, this Saturday I was invited to a hockey game by Alex Ovechkin and his family. Huge honor. Honestly – I’m a little nervous to meet The Great One.
But let’s go in order. What’s been happening lately? I’ve already played against Wembanyama and Donovan Mitchell, got my first start in the NBA, stepped onto the floor at Madison Square Garden, and spent a lot of time working on my individual game.
Game days are always packed for us. In the morning, we have a practice with the Nets – scouting the opponent, going over their sets, reviewing our defensive schemes. On those days, I like to arrive early, get some shots up, and do a little extra skill work. If it’s a home game, after the team lunch at the arena we get a couple of hours to recover and reset. I usually head home and try to switch off for a bit. Then a short nap – usually 45 minutes to an hour – and after that it’s time to get ready and head out for the game.
Our warm-up starts earlier than people think… actually, most people probably don’t know this at all, so let me spell it out. We hit the court in groups two and a half hours before tip-off. So if the game is at 7:30, warm-ups start at 5:00. First the weight room, then the court with the ball, then treatment and stretching. There’s even a little time to eat and lock in mentally before we go out for the full team warm-up. That’s the daily routine.
I’ll never forget my first start. I found out in the most casual way possible. Jordi Fernández came up to me during morning shootaround and told me I’d be starting against Detroit. Cam Thomas was out for a few weeks with an injury, and the coaching staff decided I’d take his spot. Honestly, nothing really changes for me – whether I come off the bench or start, my job is to come in with full energy and be as aggressive and effective as possible. Of course, in that first start I was trying to show myself even more.
Brooklyn is an incredible place, full of contrasts. I spent a long time choosing an apartment. I wanted something between the arena and the practice facility so both would be easy to get to. I got lucky – I live close to Barclays Center and can walk there while the weather allows it. The practice facility is about 15 minutes by car. New York is a city that never stops – loud, constantly moving. There are some very colorful neighborhoods, and you really need to understand where you are and what time it is. You have to stay alert 🙂
I’ll always remember my first trip to Madison Square Garden for our game against the Knicks. I knew how legendary this place is for American sports, but now I’m not a tourist – I’m a Brooklyn Nets player. I tried to focus on the game and stay locked in. The arena isn’t actually that big, but the atmosphere is crazy because the fans are so loud and so close to the court. Knicks really feed off that energy. Their fanbase is great.
I’ve seen a lot of questions about Wembanyama. Honestly, it’s hard to describe. Saying that it’s difficult to play against him doesn’t even come close. Trying to stop him feels like something beyond normal human limits. He’s a unique center who has already changed the game.
I also want to mention our game against the Cavs – Donovan Mitchell is unreal. One good defender isn’t enough; you always need help and perfect team defense. Same goes for Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Scottie Barnes in Toronto. And that’s just the guys I’ve already faced. Almost every NBA team has at least one guy like that – often two.
If I had to pick the two who impressed me the most, it’s “Spida” Mitchell and Brunson – I’ve never faced that level of individual talent before.
Stay tuned!
Keep an eye on my socials this weekend – I’m going to the Washington Capitals game to see Ovechkin in action!
Photo: Gettyimages.ru/Ronald Cortes, Chris Graythen
