Inside The Nets

Why Nic Claxton is okay with being a doubted player

Nic Claxton has been underrated as a top center despite his significant impact on Brooklyn.

Marin Gabric

© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Nets center Nic Claxton has been stellar for a while now but has largely gone unnoticed by the rest of the NBA world. Brooklyn fans have nothing but love for Clax because they believe he should be perceived as a top-tier big man.

The 24-year-old is averaging a near-double-double every game on solid efficiency. Beyond his offensive skills, Claxton has consistently showcased his prowess as an exceptional defender, garnering Defensive Player of the Year consideration until his defensive spotlight dimmed due to his superstar teammates' trade requests.

"The league is the league. The league is really political. They have certain things they look at like, if we don't have any superstars on our team right now, that's kind of how the league works," Nic told HoopHype's Michael Scotto.

Nic is playing with a chip on his shoulder

Elite athletes, like NBA players, always find ways to motivate themselves. For Nic, being doubted is not an issue because he knows that will motivate him for the long-term future.

Like many athletes, Clax taps into various sources for motivation, particularly player rankings. The omission from the Top 100 is an oversight, considering Claxton's status as a premier defensive center.

"It just adds more fuel to the fire for me. I feel like I've always been overlooked kind of throughout my career. I've just got to go out and prove myself every night like I've been doing," the big man continued.

Nic can prove himself at the highest level with Brooklyn

The Nets know their paint is safe whenever Claxton is in there to protect the rim. On offense, he makes an impact through catching lobs and offensive rebounding.

Claxton's competitive spirit is undeniable; he is prepared to contribute to the Nets and vie for individual honors. Aspiring to secure the title of Defensive Player of the Year, he has a clear trajectory by consistently showcasing his versatile defensive skills.

The 24-year-old center fully believes in the Brooklyn project initiated by coach Jacque Vaughn. Clax not only regards himself highly, but teammates like Mikal Bridges continue to lead the team to better results. Nic wants to be part of that and is ready to contribute in whatever way he can.

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Marin Gabric
MARIN GABRIC

Marin's love for writing developed in high school but was furthered in college when he took a number of creative writing courses. Doing sports writing felt like an extremely natural continuation, as it furthered his passions in both writing and basketball.  Marin loves the feeling of looking at stats after a game and analyzing what each team could've done better or what they excel in compared to the rest of the league. And the ability to do so for his favorite team, the Brooklyn Nets, is quite special in itself. 

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