When Jordi Fernández was introduced as head coach two summers ago, he boldly predicted that Nic Claxton could one day become a Defensive Player of the Year. Four games into this season, that vision still feels far from reality.
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.
The 26-year-old’s defensive rating of 142.9 is the worst on the team through four games, and if the Nets are going to steady themselves defensively, it starts with him, their veteran anchor in the paint.
“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.
Fernández understands the challenges of implementing a new system, but he said the breakdowns aren’t about the scheme as much as the team’s lack of focus and activity.
“Yeah, we’re not hedging,” Fernández said. “We’re supposed to be at the level, and we overrun the screen, it’s not a good thing. So right there, we should be able to protect the rim as well. You know, a lot of these plays come with all the hustle stats. We’re not there in deflections, where we’re supposed to be. We’re not there in charges because we haven’t taken one charge. We’re not there in verticalities, we’re behind on all those things, and that comes with effort and activity. So, I know we can be better. It’s just a matter of like, trying it for more than two out of 16 quarters.”
Claxton’s search for rhythm mirrors the Nets’ own. His defensive lapses have reflected the team’s broader inconsistency, though he’s hardly the only one responsible. Fernández’s belief in Claxton hasn’t wavered, but until he rediscovers his timing and command around the rim, Brooklyn’s defense will remain a work in progress, especially in the paint.
“I want to see the best effort at the same time, the best focus, and that comes with playing every possession, communicating at every dead ball, every timeout, having an engaged bench,” Fernández said. ” All those things you can practice and get better at, and right now we haven’t done that consistently.”
