The Brooklyn Nets were the hottest team in the league, but now that Kevin Durant recently got hurt, they have to find a new identity.
After a 19-4 stretch between Nov. 22 and Jan. 8, the Nets have since lost three games in a row. This three-game losing streak includes ugly home losses against the Thunder and the Spurs.
This is not the first time that Brooklyn has played without Durant, though. Those who were on the roster last year had to make do when the two-time NBA Finals MVP missed time with a sprained MCL.
When asked to compare the two experiences, Nets big man Nic Claxton said that even though they have lost their first few games without Durant, it is far better this time around.
Nic Claxton on difference between last year without KD and now: "Last year … it was kind of a toxic environment. We didn't know if everybody wanted to be here at the time. This year, there's no divide between everybody that's out there. We're going to figure it out."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) January 18, 2023
According to Claxton, there is “no divide” between the players on the roster this season.
The big man said that last season, for comparison, was “kind of a toxic environment” because it wasn’t clear if “everybody wanted to be here” or not.
Based on previous reporting, Claxton is likely referring to his former teammate James Harden. Last season before the trade deadline, Harden reportedly called Nets owner Joseph Tsai and general manager Joseph Tsai to express his interest in playing for the 76ers.
Harden was eventually traded to Brooklyn in exchange for Ben Simmons.
Kyrie on why KD's absence is different this year: "Well I'm consistently in the lineup, that helps. We also don't have anyone who is halfway in in the locker room."
— Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) January 16, 2023
Claxton’s comments come just a few days after his teammate Kyrie Irving said that this season, Brooklyn doesn’t have anyone in their locker room who is only “halfway” committed to the team.
After Irving’s comments, many NBA fans assumed that he was also referring to Harden.