With features written recently about the growth of Nic Claxton, the Locked on Nets guys take a look a the young center and what he’s brought to the team this season. But in these superlatives, they also look down the line to when Brooklyn actually gets to the playoffs. Will the pairing of Claxton and Ben Simmons actually work on the highest stage? It’s a question the team will continue to ask throughout the season and one the Locked On guys start diving into on Friday’s episode.
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20 Comments
“I don’t think I can jump on the podcast tonight”😂 Exactly. That’s the kinda effort that got us 2-7😂
Somehow Claxton is top ten for front court in the conference. I mean he is good but I did not expect that. Also weirder and not a huge hit but he is there and Simmons isn't for guard which is odd (odd more so that either would be there but if one would have expected Simmons partly due to more known, Australian voters on the app and also just he is a facilitator etc).
Ben Simmons and nic Claxton seemed to find some good commonality and consistency playing together during that twelve game winning streak.
But against the bulls in which they had a lot of midrange scorers Claxton and Ben didn't get a lot of good shots in which put the scoring burden on KD.
This only further shows that Brooklyn needs another center who can add a scoring punch and allow Ben Simmons to go to another level playing off a more traditional center.
Plus Claxton provides the defense. If they can add a center who can contribute more on the scoring side Brooklyn could go to another level 🔥🔥🔥
Defensively they are out of their minds in some games… man that game vs the spurs was crazy
Two trades that could help Brooklyn become an even more complete team is as followed:
Brooklyn Nets: Jakob Poeltl
Spurs: Cam Thomas and patty Mills
Brooklyn Nets: Jae crowder and Dario Saric
Pheniox Sun's: Joe Harris.
Both of these trades would help address Brooklyn needs. Getting Jakob Poeltl who can defend well, rebound and score could give Brooklyn second unit much needed size. Plus a combo of nic Claxton and Jakob Poeltl would give Brooklyn a top defensive center unit. The spurs would be getting a top scoring prospect in Thomas while patty can help lead the young squad in San Antonio.
The trade with the sun's brings Brooklyn two good players. Jae crowder is a playoff caliber player who brings defensive intensity, three point scoring and adds some length. Plus having crowder would allow coach Vaughn to switch crowder and Royce o Neale between units based on matchups. Meanwhile Dario Saric adds length and some pop off the bench.
The two can work together but its a process. Nice has developed further along than Ben. Ben has more attributes and can be by far a more contributor. Ben must get more aggressive towards the rim
Claxton is still a year or two away. Similar to Allen it takes time for many bigs to build the strength they need to truly take their games to next level.
My thing about Claxton is that for all the praise Adam and Doug heap on him most of which is well deserved based on his improvement there is just a very glaring hole when you look at some of the individual matchups. In the NBA it’s a team game but a players individual matchups still matter. If KD gets cooked by Tatum people recognize that. For me there are too many matchups where you look at Claxton box score and it looks amazing and then you look over at the other Big man and they have a double double. Is he truly at the defensive anchor level when Mason Plumlee is getting 20 and 10? When Nickolas V is looking like the magic version? And these are not the most skilled bigs. What is he doing to shut down the other teams bigs? That’s my concern. It’s all well in good the amazing versatility but to be a dominant big you got to be shutting down you individual matchups. Mason Plumlee and NV cannot have 20 and 10.
Greenville SC is a great little town…I spend a lot of time there. In 2 yrs, Nic will be terrorizing the league. I agree with you guys about the foul shots between Ben and Nic. That gives other teams a strategy point to use against the Nets, a weakness to exploit. I’m not sure what a good solution to that problem be, but I’m sure Sean Marks is working that angle.
Even tho Jarrett Allen was amazing, Im glad we kept Clax.
1.1 blocks? That’s the level a wing player.
At some point the Nets had to lose-this is necessary for further improvement of the team.
Ben & clax shooting more than 55% on FT% , Ben becoming more aggressive in his drives and lay the fuc*king ball ups and we are good 🙏
We should really sign Gorgui dieng asap
Ben Simmons needs to do better offensively Or he’s going to be a liability in the offense end
I watch the show because of doug he has the best takes
Doug you nailed it Ben Simmons really concerns me when playoff time comes.
@lockedonnets I guarantee if Simmons switch to his right hand at the free throw line. He would probably make more than 50% of his free throws
Simmons is interesting because if you don’t have him offensively you go back to an iso offense he’s leading the team in assists and creating open looks but he doesn’t look for his own shot so teams know he’s not a threat to do anything
Can clax and Ben work in the playoffs 😂😂 hell yeah. They combined for 15boards , 14 assists, 6 Blocks , & 4 steals
Love this team