Struggles and Optimism Surround Nets
The past two years have really weighed on the Nets, mentally and otherwise.
Nic Claxton is looking forward to the next season, which is a bit of a relief. “To be honest, it’s been a challenging phase of my career, especially with all the lineup shifts and playing alongside so many younger teammates,” he reflected. “It’s been a tough year overall, but we have a few more games left, and after that, we can just start fresh this summer.”
Despite the season’s challenges, Claxton emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. “I can’t allow this to impact my preparation. Throughout this year, I’ve had to remind myself that when I step on that court, the goal is to win,” he noted. But deep down, he seems aware that wins and losses don’t always tell the full story. “You can see the rookies grow and gain confidence. And, for me, it might be about maturing and finding a bit of peace within myself. Here’s hoping next year brings more wins.”
The Nets, currently sitting at 20 wins and 60 losses, could use a bit of luck moving forward. As of Thursday, they were maintaining the third-best lottery odds.
Their recent 123-94 defeat to Indiana helped solidify those odds. They find themselves just behind the Jazz and Kings, who are tied for fourth.
If they end up losing their last two games—one against Milwaukee and the other against Toronto—they will secure a top-three lottery position and won’t drop below seventh in the upcoming draft.
Claxton recently missed three games due to a sprained pinky finger but is expected to finish the season averaging 11.7 points and 6.9 rebounds. He knows there’s room for growth in that area. Notably, he feels he’s regressed defensively and has always found rebounding a bit tricky.
“If you have teammates eager for rebounds, sometimes your own numbers take a hit because I tend to let them grab most of the boards,” Claxton explained. He elaborated, “It’s really a mental shift to make an effort for every rebound. My numbers could be better if I pushed harder, but at the end of the day, it’s a team game.”
On the court, EJ Liddell stood out with 26 points against Indiana, while Ben Saraf tallied 19 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Unfortunately, Claxton was among several players who didn’t participate, including Noah Clowney and Michael Porter Jr.
