When Jordi Fernández was launched as head coach two summers in the past, he boldly predicted that Nic Claxton might sooner or later change into a Defensive Participant of the Yr. 4 video games into this season, that imaginative and prescient nonetheless feels removed from actuality.
Claxton, the longest-tenured Web, continues to seek for consistency as a rim protector, simply because the group as a complete has struggled to search out its defensive id. He’s but to report a block coming into Wednesday’s matchup towards the Atlanta Hawks, and Brooklyn has been bullied inside, permitting 55.5 factors within the paint per sport. That’s tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for twenty fifth within the NBA.
The 26-year-old’s defensive score of 142.9 is the worst on the group by 4 video games, and if the Nets are going to regular themselves defensively, it begins with him, their veteran anchor within the paint.
“It’s very simple. I mean, Nic is a very good defender. He’s not happy,” Fernández stated. “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.”
A few of Claxton’s early defensive points stem from scheme. Fernández’s system depends on extra switching and blitzing, which has taken him out of his consolation zone as a drop defender. Add in shaky perimeter protection and a younger, inexperienced roster, and he usually finds himself making an attempt to wash up too many errors directly.
Fernández understands the challenges of implementing a brand new system, however he stated the breakdowns aren’t concerning the scheme as a lot because the group’s lack of focus and exercise.
“Yeah, we’re not hedging,” Fernández stated. “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 seek for rhythm mirrors the Nets’ personal. His defensive lapses have mirrored the group’s broader inconsistency, although he’s hardly the one one accountable. Fernández’s perception in Claxton hasn’t wavered, however till he rediscovers his timing and command across the rim, Brooklyn’s protection will stay a piece in progress, particularly within 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 stated. ” All these issues you may apply and get higher at, and proper now we haven’t finished that persistently.”
