Should Nets’ Nic Claxton be in the DPOY conversation?
Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton has been the best defender on the Nets this season. The former Georgia Bulldog has been critical to how Brooklyn wants to play defense which appears to push things towards the middle of the floor to allow for help-and-recover situations.
Not only is Claxton averaging a career-high 2.4 blocks per game, but he is second in the NBA (going into Monday’s games) in total blocks with 66 as he has helped the Nets averages the most blocks per game in the league with seven. The next closest team is the Indiana Pacers with 6.1 blocks per game.
What makes Claxton such a good defender is his length and athleticism. Both of those physical traits allow him to be a menace at the rim and harass ballhandlers on the perimeter.
When it comes to the DPOY (defensive play of the year) award, you have to be the best of the best on the the defensive side of the ball. Claxton said that he believes in himself earlier this week:
“Honestly, I feel like I’m one of the best defenders in the league. I feel like I should be in the talk for defensive player of the year. Feel like I haven’t been getting the respect that I deserve. We’ve been winning, my numbers are good, been protecting the rim, guarding one through five.”
Claxton is also 11th in the league in individual defensive rating with 107.5. All stats are courtesy of Basketball Reference.
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