Former NBA player Nic Claxton joins the WFNY podcast to talk about his playing days, how he got drafted where and discusses some of the tough moments in his career.
The “nets rookies 2021” is a blog post written by Nets Nic Claxton. In the blog post, he discusses his rough start to the season.
Getty On April 16, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton (#33) and Alize Johnson (#24) sprint downcourt during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Barclays Center.
The Brooklyn Nets were predicted to have one of the strongest top-to-bottom squads in NBA history entering the 2021 season. Not just because they anticipated Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, their All-Star three, to return. However, free agency signings like Paul Millsap, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Patty Mills had the potential to turn them into one of the league’s most unstoppable teams.
Nicolas Claxton, the Nets’ youthful big man, was another player on the roster who was anticipated to make an impact. DeAndre Jordan, who was traded to the Detroit Pistons this summer, is finally receiving some regular minutes at starting center.
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Nic Claxton Expresses His Dissatisfaction With His Slow Start
Despite Brooklyn’s high hopes for Claxton, he has struggled in the Nets’ first two games this season. Claxton understands that his progress is critical to his team’s success.
“I examine my reflection in the mirror. I’m supposed to be one of the team’s best defensive players. Claxton commented to Brian Lewis of the “New York Post” via NetsDaily, “I had a couple mental breakdowns last game, my exhaustion showed too much.” “I believe it begins with me,” says the speaker. I need to improve my defensive play, and we’ll improve as a team. It’s just a game.”
The third-year center has a game average of 7.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks. On paper, his numbers don’t seem to be too bad. Claxton’s defense, on the other hand, has been an ugly. Players are shooting 16-of-29 (55 percent) from the field while Claxton is defending them, according to Billy Reinhardt of NetsDaily. When he defends on guards and forwards, that figure rises to 15-of-27 (56 percent). If he wants to keep his starting job, he’ll have to improve this statistic.
Claxton remarked, “Right now I’m beginning the game on a guard, so it’s different.” “This is the first time I’ve done anything like this in my career, and I’ll change accordingly. … Great players are able to adapt on the fly, which is what makes them great. And, as I already said, everything will fall into place once my fitness improves.”
This season, players are shooting 16-of-29 (55 percent) against Nic Claxton. Guards and forwards, in particular, account for 15 of the 27 players (56 percent).
Claxton is 5-of-6 on lobs, 3-of-4 on dunks, and 4-of-9 on layups, with James Harden assisting on all baskets. https://t.co/okGAnwl8Rk
October 23, 2021 — Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt)
Claxton and Harden Have a Good Working Relationship.
Claxton was an exceptionally raw prospect as the Nets started the season. But, as raw as he is, you can see his potential; it just comes in fits and starts.
Harden is expected to help the Nets develop some stability with their starting center. In Claxton’s first two games, “The Beard” has assisted on all 12 of their made field goals. Harden compares Claxton’s skill to that of Clint Capela, a former Houston Rockets colleague who led the NBA in blocks per game last season.
“Claxton reminds me of Clint (Capela), but he’s a much better… According to NetsDaily, Harden informed reporters before the season that “the sky is the limit for him.”
James Harden’s underappreciated comment of the day: “Claxton reminds me of Clint (Capela), but he’s more skillful… For him, the sky is the limit.” Later, Clax stated he’s “working on my shot.”
September 28, 2021 — NetsDaily (@NetsDaily)
Claxton may not be a familiar name among Nets fans, but he is an important member of the squad. The Nets’ two main difficulties last year were defense and rebounding, things that Claxton has battled with hard to open the season. In order for the Nets to have a chance at the championship, he’ll have to address that as the season develops.
READ NEXT: Warriors Forward Defends Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets
Nicolas Claxton is a professional basketball player who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He had a rough start to his season, but he has been playing well recently. Reference: nicolas claxton stats.
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