Brooklyn Nets young center Nicolas Claxton feels he should be in contention for the defensive player of the year award after his impressive performance this season.
Brooklyn Nets finally revive their season and are turning it around. Nets at this point in the regular season hold a record of 18-12. A big reason behind their turnaround outside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving is Nicolas Claxton’s defensive play at the center.
The young big man is playing in his prime this season averaging 2-3 blocks per game. He is the only big man on the Brooklyn Nets roster and leads in several leaderboards for his play on both ends of the floor. He feels he deserves much respect and praise for his play.
Nicolas Claxton in an interview with YES Network said
“It’s just being me. Honestly, I feel that I am one of the best defenders in the league,”. “I feel I should be in the top for the Defensive Player of the Year. I feel like I wasn’t getting the respect I deserve. We’re winning, my numbers are good protecting the rim, guarding 1 through 5. So, it’s just me being me, bringing energy and it’s great for the team.”
There’s no secret Claxton is at the top of his game this season scoring points on the offensive end and collecting rebounds, blocking shots, he is doing it all this season. He leads the league in both shooting percentage (74.1 percent) and effective percentage (74.4 percent).
The only flaw in Claxton’s game was his shooting at the free throw line. He has improved a lot this season while shooting at the free throw line. But his main game is attacking the wood which he has done with consistency.
Claxton’s defensive efforts lead to most of the team’s success which is most important for the nets to be a real title contender this season.
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