Nic Claxton had a difficult way back to court, a year of disappointments and setbacks. But now that the young big man has returned, he surpasses everything the Nets could have hoped for.
‘I think that’s fair. He’s just had a tough time with shoulder to knee injuries and all. You never want to have too high expectations, ”said Steve Nash after the Magic’s defeat on Thursday 129-92. “But it is testament to the coaching staff who worked with him every day and his diligence in his job. He has done his best to put himself in this position and he has been very productive.
Nic had excellent energy. Hasn’t played for about a year so to play these last two games and for him to be as disturbing as he was – I think he stole four times and two blocks, [he] helps, he bounces back. He is someone we believe in and think has many benefits, continues to grow and take step by step. But I was impressed and very happy that he was successful there. “
Tuesday was Claxton’s first game since February 28, 2020. He had to fight back after a hamstring strain in December 2019, a shoulder operation in June 2020 and finally the tendinopathy of the right knee. But he followed up his season debut against the Kings, with 10 points, a career-high four steals, three rebounds and a block in 15 high-energy minutes Thursday.
Claxton said playing with James Harden and Kyrie Irving has made life easier.
‘You have to respect them out there, so it opens the floor. I haven’t shown half of what I have in my bag, ”said Claxton. ‘But it just makes it easy for someone like me. It creates a lot of space and it’s one-on-one, and it’s going to be fun. “
Claxton got a technical foul for hanging on the edge after a dunk, but said Irving and Harden had already promised to pick up the bill. Irving gave Claxton “The Alchemist” to read, and apparently it is now Claxton’s nickname.
Landry Shamet had 19 points in a resurgent game.
After shooting just 25 percent from the 3-point range in December, it hit 32.7 percent last month and 41.7 percent so far this month.
“Are you saying he’ll be over 50 percent by March? I love where you’re going, ”Nash said. “Landry is a really good shot. We all know that. It’s just a new situation, a new environment, a new role trying to turn that corner and I think he’s starting to have that confidence in what we’re doing and it’s great. “
Tyler Cook made his Nets debut.
The nets have a lot of flexibility. Nash said they could bring back the recently disbanded Andre Roberson or Iman Shumpert on 10-day deals and will also be looking into the buyout market.
“It is possible they could be back; that’s a front office question, ”said Nash. “In the buyout market that is one of the reasons why we want to be flexible in my view, to see how we can improve our team. I don’t think that’s any different. … Especially for us with the way the roster has changed after the big deal, we need to be flexible to keep our options open. “