"Claxton, the longest-tenured Net, continues to search for consistency as a rim protector, just as the team as a whole has struggled to find its defensive identity. He's yet to record a block entering Wednesday's matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, and Brooklyn has been bullied inside, allowing 55.5 points in the paint per game. That's tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for 25th in the NBA."
""It's very simple. I mean, Nic is a very good defender. He's not happy," Fernández said. "He has high standards and he's hard on himself... We're all together here. I believe in him. We had a great stretch last year when we were high level offensively, and right now we're not. So, continuity, work together, believe in each other; all those things are important. And you know, we know he's a great rim protector. We know he can get deflections. We know he can run the floor. We know he can rebound. So those things I believe he can do. And he believes.""
"Some of Claxton's early defensive issues stem from scheme. Fernández's system relies on more switching and blitzing, which has taken him out of his comfort zone as a drop defender. Add in shaky perimeter defense and a young, inexperienced roster, and he often finds himself trying to clean up too many mistakes at once."
Nic Claxton has struggled to find consistency as a rim protector through four games, entering the matchup against Atlanta without a block and carrying a team-worst defensive rating of 142.9. Brooklyn has allowed 55.5 points in the paint per game, tied for 25th in the NBA, and has been bullied inside. Coach Jordi Fernández expresses confidence in Claxton's rim protection, deflections, floor running and rebounding. Fernández's system emphasizes more switching and blitzing, pulling Claxton from his comfort as a drop defender. A young roster and perimeter defensive lapses have increased Claxton's cleanup responsibilities.
Read at New York Daily News
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