Thai coach apologizes to parents as boys write they're OK

The soccer coach trapped in a cave with 12 Thai boys apologized to their parents in the first letter he and the team have sent out through divers, in which the boys say they're doing well and missing their families.

The governor in charge of the rescue said Saturday that the cooperating weather and falling water levels over the last few days had created conditions for extraction that won't continue if it rains again.

This undated photo released via the Thai NavySEAL Facebook Page on Saturday, July 7, 2018, shows handwritten notes by the children trapped in a cave in Mae Sai, Thailand. The message on top reads: Pong “Love you mom and dad, you don't have to worry, we're safe. Love you all.” The message below reads: Nick “Mom and Dad, I love you and Toi. If we get out, Mom and Dad - please take me out for some Pork Pan BBQ.” (Thai NavySEAL Facebook Page via AP)

Authorities were waiting for two big groups of volunteer divers to arrive later Saturday and Sunday, after which they'll be ready to begin the operation of bringing them out, said Chiang Rai Gov. Narongsak Osatanakorn.

"The plan that I've held on to from the beginning is that we have to bring the kids out and the determining factor of this plan is to have as little water as possible," he said, adding that floodwaters have been drained as much as possible.

"But if it rains and adds to it again, we don't know what other risk factors we will have to face," he said, also warning about higher carbon dioxide levels in the cave.

Ekapol Chanthawong, the 25-year-old coach of the Wild Boars soccer team, wrote: "To the parents of all the kids, right now the kids are all fine, the crew are taking good care. I promise I will care for the kids as best as possible. I want to say thanks for all the support and I want to apologize to the parents."

One boy writes: "I'm doing fine, but the air is a little cold but don't worry. Although, don't forget to set up my birthday party."

Thai rescuers prepare to enter the cave where 12 boys and their soccer coach have been trapped since June 23, in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, in northern Thailand Friday, July 6, 2018. Thai authorities are racing to pump out water from the flooded cave before more rains are forecast to hit the northern region. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Another, identified as Tun, writes: "Mom and Dad, please don't worry, I am fine. I've told Yod to get ready to take me out for fried chicken. With love." The name reference could be of a waiting relative.

The rest of the scribbled letters on pages from a notebook struck a similar message of love for parents and telling them not to worry.

One boy named Mick wrote: "Don't be worried, I miss everyone. Grandpa, uncle, mom dad, and siblings I love you all. I'm happy being here inside, the navy SEALS have taken good care. Love you all."

The boys, 11 to 16, and their coach went exploring in the cave after a soccer game June 23. Monsoon flooding cut off their escape and prevented rescuers from finding them for almost 10 days. The only way to reach them was by navigating dark and tight passageways filled with muddy water and strong currents and in oxygen-depleted air.

Narongsak ruled out any rescue attempt for Saturday, saying the boys "cannot dive at this time." He said the boys were still healthy and have practiced wearing diving masks and breathing in preparation for the diving possibility.

Thai officials had been suggesting in public statements that a quick underwater evacuation of the boys and their coach was needed because of the possibility that access to the cave could soon close again due to seasonal monsoon rains expected this weekend.

Earlier efforts to pump out water from the cave have been set back every time there has been a heavy rain.

The body of Saman Gunan, a former Thai navy SEAL who died during an overnight mission, is carried during a repatriation and religious rites ceremony at Chiang Rai Airport in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, in northern Thailand Friday, July 6, 2018. The Thai navy diver working as part of the effort to rescue 12 boys and their soccer coach trapped in a flooded cave died Friday from lack of oxygen, underscoring risks of extracting the team. (AP Photo)

Cave rescue specialists have cautioned against that approach except as a last resort, because of the dangers posed by inexperienced people using diving gear. The path out is considered especially complicated because of twists and turns in narrow flooded passages.

The suggestion that the trapped team might have to wait months inside until a safe way out is available — as was the case in 2010 with Chilean miners trapped underground — has met with little enthusiasm.

Authorities continue to pursue a third option, which is finding a shaft or drilling into the mountain in which the cave is located to find a sort of back door entrance.

The death of the Thai diver, Saman Gunan, on Friday underscored the risks of making the underwater journey. The diver, the first fatality of the rescue effort, was working in a volunteer capacity and died on a mission to place oxygen canisters along the route to where the boys and others are sheltered, Thai SEAL commander Rear Adm. Arpakorn Yookongkaew said.

The strategically placed canisters allow divers to stay underwater longer during the five-hour trip to reach the stranded team.

Elon Musk, the entrepreneur behind the Tesla automobile and the SpaceX rocket company, said he would send engineers to help. One of his enterprises is Boring Co., which digs tunnels for advanced transport systems and has advanced ground-penetrating radar.

Musk also brainstormed on Twitter about possible technology for a safe evacuation, suggesting that an air tunnel constructed with soft tubing like a Bouncy Castle could provide flexible passage out.

This undated photo released via the Thai NavySEAL Facebook Page on Saturday, July 7, 2018, shows handwritten notes by one of the children and their coach trapped in a cave in Mae Sai, Thailand. Messages, from top, read: Tun "Mom and Dad, please don't worry, I am fine. I've told P'Yod to get ready to take me out for fried chicken. With love." Aek "To the parents of all the kids, right now the kids are all fine, the crew are taking good care. I promise I will care for the kids as best as possible. I want to say thanks for all the support and I want to apologize to the parents." Aek “To my aunt and grandmother, I am doing well, please don't be too worried about me. Take care of yourselves. Aunt please tell grandmother to make vegetable dip and pork rind. Once I'm out, I'll go eat. Love everyone.” (Thai NavySEAL Facebook Page via AP)

This undated photo released by Thai NavySEAL Facebook Page on Saturday, July 7, 2018, shows handwritten notes by the children trapped in a cave in Mae Sai, Thailand. The message on top reads: Pong (boy), “Love you mom and dad, you don't have to worry, we're safe. Love you all.” The message below reads: Nick (boy), “Mom and Dad, I love you and Toi. If we get out, Mom and Dad - please take me out for some Pork Pan BBQ.” (Thai NavySEAL Facebook Page via AP)

This undated photo released by Thai NavySEAL Facebook Page on Saturday, July 7, 2018, shows handwritten notes by one of children and their coach trapped in a cave in Mae Sai, Thailand. Messages, from top, read: Tun (boy), "Mom and Dad, please don't worry, I am fine. I've told P'Yod to get ready to take me out for fried chicken. With love." Coach note to the parents, "To the parents of all the kids, right now the kids are all fine, the crew are taking good care. I promise I will care for the kids as best as possible. I want to say thanks for all the support and I want to apologize to the parents." Coach note to his aunt and grandmother, “To my aunt and grandmother, I am doing well, please don't be too worried about me. Take care of yourselves. Aunt please tell grandmother to make vegetable dip and pork rind. Once I'm out, I'll go eat. Love everyone.” (Thai NavySEAL Facebook Page via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden weren't the only ones who didn't stick around long in Brooklyn.

The Nets have gone through coaches almost as quickly as superstar players in recent years, even while the team had been good enough to make five straight playoff appearances from 2019-23.

Maybe Jordi Fernandez will be the coach to have lasting success.

The first head coach from Spain in NBA history said Wednesday he expects the Nets to improve quickly after finishing 32-50 last season.

“We will see results right away because like I said before, this industry is about getting results and getting better,” Fernandez said.

The coach of Canada's men's national team spent the past two seasons as the associate head coach of the Sacramento Kings and stood out during a search that began almost immediately after the Nets fired Jacque Vaughn at the All-Star break.

“I think something that separates Jordi from a lot of the candidates, we found that he could look at a developmental roster, he could do various different pathways,” general manager Sean Marks said. “I mean, he’s coached stars before, he’s been the head, director of development before. So as I said, he’s worn many hats and I think with our roster that he’s going to be able to get the respect of those guys.”

The Nets have to decide what kind of roster that will be. They were building gradually early in Marks' tenure under Kenny Atkinson before he was replaced during the 2019-20 season. Then they tried the superstar route under Steve Nash, signing Durant and Irving and then acquiring Harden in a blockbuster trade.

With those players all traded, the Nets were back to a younger squad last season, which they finished under interim coach Kevin Ollie, and Fernandez said he likes having that kind of roster.

“The youth is always great, right, because it allows you to have a team for a long run,” Fernandez said.

If he gets a long run, that is.

“You never want to have to let people go from positions, whether that’s coaching or staff members and so forth,” Marks said. "I think what we’re in is, we’re in professional sports and there’s turnover. I mean, we’re all very, very lucky and very fortunate to have the jobs that we have and hold on to them for as long as we can.

“You hope you do it the right way and you do it with the right people and you continue to build. As I said before, hopefully with Jordi this is a long-term fit, he can continue to grow and develop just the same as we all have.”

The 41-year-old Fernandez, who is from Badalona, Spain, began coaching in his teens. He was an assistant on his national team's staff when it won the bronze medal at the 2017 EuroBasket and for Nigeria in the Olympics in 2021. Last year he led the Canadians to their first medal in the Basketball World Cup when they beat the U.S. for bronze.

Marks said he received positive feedback from people who had worked with and played under Fernandez, who was also an assistant coach in Denver from 2016-22.

Fernandez said he couldn't fully answer why things haven't worked long for recent coaches in Brooklyn, but he sees the possibilities for himself. He thinks the Nets' youth will allow them to play fast and thinks they can build a top-10 offense and defense, adding that he believes center Nic Claxton can win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Fernandez said he's already spoken to the team's players. He will begin working with them and setting up his staff before leaving for six weeks to rejoin his Canada squad, then returning to the Nets in August.

“It’s going to take time, it’s going to take direction and structure,” Fernandez said, “but I believe with the team we have and the partnership that we have right now, no doubt in my mind that we’ll start the right way.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

FILE - Sacramento Kings assistant coach Jordi Fernandez looks on, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Denver. Fernandez was hired Monday, April 22, 2024 as coach of the Brooklyn Nets, who are looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs for the first time in six years. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Nets coach Jordi Fernandez eyes early success and a rare lasting stay in Brooklyn

Nets coach Jordi Fernandez eyes early success and a rare lasting stay in Brooklyn