Egor Demin dismissed criticism over his social media activity, saying his offseason work will show on the court after an impressive start to the Nets’ Summer League campaign.
The Brooklyn Nets had an impressive outing for the California Classic as they ended up winning 2 out of the three games.
One of the major talking points was the young phenom Egor Demin. The talented guard has lately been catching a lot of eyeballs for his on- and off-the-court routine.
However, Denim has heard the criticism that’s been directed towards him.
Whether it's questions about his offseason content creation or social media posts showing him away from the court, the Nets guard knows some fans have wondered if he's putting in enough work heading into his second NBA season.
His response? Let his game do the talking.
“I’m not doing it from a negative standpoint, that’s for sure,” Demin recently said. “They be like, ‘Man, get to the gym. What are you doing outside?’ Like, no dude, I just got from the gym. Don’t worry about me. I’m not gonna show you how I’m getting better. They probably all think I’m not doing anything, but I might, you know, be better. I will be better next season.”
So far, his early Summer League performances suggest exactly that.
After an impressive rookie season in which he emerged as one of the NBA's best young three-point shooters, Demin arrived at the California Classic looking noticeably stronger. The added muscle has translated directly onto the floor, particularly in an area where he struggled as a rookie: finishing inside the arc.
The former BYU standout averaged 23.0 points across two Summer League appearances in Sacramento while shooting 15-of-27 from the field. Even more encouraging was his efficiency around the basket. After attempting very few two-pointers during last year's Summer League, Demin converted 11 of his 12 shots inside the arc this time around.
His offseason focus explains why.
"The lifting room was probably the biggest priority," he said before Summer League. "Gaining some weight, making sure I'm good with my nutrition... making sure I use that strength, create those habits of being more aggressive, looking for the gaps, getting into the paint and getting used to contact."
Brooklyn's coaching staff has quickly noticed the difference.
Summer League coach Dutch Gaitley pointed to Demin's newfound ability to attack the rim, while head coach Jordi Fernández credited the guard's commitment in the weight room for helping him play through contact and create easier scoring opportunities.
The physical improvements have also been paired with a more mature mindset.
Following a rookie season shortened by plantar fasciitis, Demin has embraced more responsibility within Brooklyn's young core. He recently spoke about taking on a leadership role after spending a full year in the NBA, something that has been evident throughout Summer League.
That mentality has also carried over to his approach toward outside criticism.
Rather than responding to comments online, Demin has chosen to let his offseason work speak for itself. Through two Summer League games, the early returns suggest the 20-year-old has backed up his confidence with meaningful improvement.
If his California Classic performance is any indication, Nets fans may soon have more reason to focus on his play than on his social media posts.
Join the Community! Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/roundtable-rtb/id6450423049) and stay even more connected!
