Inside The Nets

Nic Claxton wants the Brooklyn Nets to remain positive amidst adversity

Nic is remaining level-headed during a rough Nets season.
Peter Sunjic|
© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets started the 2023/24 season with a 13-10 record over the first 23 games. That strong start is long gone because the Nets have a 17-27 record after their most recent loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

It is difficult for any player to stay level-headed in a situation like this, but Nic Claxton has urged the rest of the Nets roster to remain positive amidst a rough patch.

“No moral victories. Another tough loss. It's tough just losing all these games. We just gotta stay positive, stay together. I know it sounds repetitive. I know I keep saying the same thing, but it's the same story,” Nic said after the loss to the Timberwolves. “We haven’t been losing by a lot of points. Tonight, they didn’t score over 100 points. We were solid defensively, 21 points ”

Nic is playing well despite the Nets' underperformance

Claxton has been one of the Nets’ best players this season, with fantastic defense and efficient offense. He averages 12.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game on 64.2% from the field. He is also evolving his offensive game by taking more jump shots.

The Nets are losing more games than expected, but Nic’s development is a big bright spot. Considering that his contract expires at the end of the season, the Nets should do their best to sign him on a contract extension.

He is not only productive on the court, but he’s also a positive presence in the locker room. Nic is not sugar-coating the impact of the losses, and he’s still maintaining an optimistic look into the Nets’ future, which is helpful for the locker room culture and the fans’ patience.

The Nets can still turn the season around

Brooklyn has shown plenty of promising signs this season. The recent 130-112 win over the Los Angeles Lakers was a superb example of the Nets’ potential to win more games under Coach Jacque Vaughn.

Moving forward, Brooklyn will have Ben Simmons and Day’Ron Sharpe returning to the active lineup. Their injuries negatively impacted the Nets because they were vital players in Coach JV’s system.

With the positive mindset that Nic is showing, the team will have a bright future if they stay the course. The team has talented players who need time to find stable ground and win more games for a postseason spot.

Ben Simmons' return to the Brooklyn Nets lineup is imminent

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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