Nets head coach Fernandez has recently attracted a lot of attention for not letting Choi Yong-hee play in the preseason. The Nets lost 95-117 against the 76ers, and Choi was unavailable for the entire game, despite being widely expected to get at least 15 minutes of playing time. This decision was a disappointment for many fans, especially in the fourth quarter when the game lost its suspense.
After the game, Fernandes explained his decision in an interview. He first apologized to Choi Young-hee, praising him for being a very hard-working player, but stressed that the preseason is coming to an end and he must match the lineup according to the regular season to confirm which players can produce better results on the field. He said Choi Young-hee doesn't have the quality to rotate players at the moment, so he can't give him more playing time. He hoped that everyone would understand the decision.
Choi Young-hee showed a mature and positive attitude in an interview. He said it was normal, understood the coach's arrangement, and thought that not being able to get into the rotation was a sign that he needed to keep trying. He sees the experience as motivation and looks forward to being officially in the squad in the future.
The incident sparked widespread discussion among fans in China, with many questioning the manager's decision to put Choi Yong-hee on the pitch for training when there was no suspense in the game. However, Fernandes' response showed the importance he placed on the team's overall performance and line-up pairing, although it may have disappointed some fans.
Overall, Choi Young-hee's future remains promising, and his hard work and attitude may earn him more opportunities in future competitions. Hopefully, he can prove himself in the coming seasons and try to show more talent on the NBA stage.