Egor Dëmin is spending his summer like a player determined to squeeze every bit of value out of Year 2.
The Brooklyn Nets guard opened up his offseason in a new YouTube video, “THE OFF-SEASON,” and the message running through it is pretty clear: the work has been nonstop, and the focus is on building from one NBA season to the next. The video shows early-morning workouts, gym sessions with other players, and plenty of the behind-the-scenes preparation that comes with getting ready for another year.
“The off-season has been very intense,” Dëmin said at the start of the video. “A lot of practice, some games, a lot of fun.”
For Dëmin, this summer carries a different feel. He’s not approaching it as a rookie trying to get his footing anymore. He’s got a year of NBA experience behind him, and that changes the way he sees the grind.
“It’s just been cool to do a second summer as an NBA player,” Dëmin said.
A big theme in the video is how he’s attacking each workout. Dëmin said he’s trying not to get caught up in how things look from the outside or whether every session produces a neat, obvious result. What matters to him is the effort.
“In the summer, the effort beats the success or the season to be successful,” Dëmin said.
“No matter where I’m going to be and who I’m working out with or how long the workout is or where it is, how can I put as much effort as I can without really worrying about how good it’s looking?” Dëmin said.
He also made sure to single out Zach Gonzalez, who has been working with him all offseason. Dëmin said Gonzalez has been in the gym with him every day and has played a key role in helping him get the most out of the summer work.
That work hasn’t just been about solo reps, either. Dëmin talked about the value of training alongside other players and striking the right balance between competing hard and enjoying the process. He said those relationships matter just as much as the workouts themselves.
“I think the big part of our work has been that the more successful we are, the harder it is and the more stressful it is to work on certain things because you always raise your standard,” Dëmin said. “We are always trying to raise the bar of success.”
He also pointed to the mental side of the game. For Dëmin, offseason development isn’t only about building his body or sharpening his skills. It’s also about keeping his mind in the right place and making room to enjoy life away from the gym.
“It’s not just the physical part and just the body, but a lot of it is the mind,” Dëmin said. “Enjoy the moment outside of the actual work.”
Dëmin said he’s had plenty of help along the way from people working behind the scenes to keep him efficient, successful, and happy. He also credited his teammates, saying the group has spent time learning from each other and figuring out how to help one another on the floor.
With the Nets getting ready for the upcoming season, he believes those bonds will matter even more.
“I think we’ve been pretty successful this summer,” Dëmin said. “We will be even more successful on building relationships before the season starts.”
After his first taste of NBA basketball last season, Dëmin is now heading into his sophomore campaign with another summer of work behind him. The video offers Nets fans a look at how he’s spent it, and where his focus is now: turning all that preparation into production once the season begins.
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