Brooklyn Nets guard Mikal Bridges received some votes for making one of the two NBA All-Defensive teams that was announced by the NBA on Wednesday. However, he was not nearly as concerned with his missing being recognized for being one of the best defenders in the NBA as he was with teammate Nic Claxton not making either of the teams.
Claxton earned 25 total points (all votes for 2nd-team, 1 point each) and had 28 less points than the center who made the 2nd-team: Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat. Some Nets fans were surprised that Claxton did not make either of the teams given how impactful he was on the defensive end for Brooklyn.
Claxton was tied with Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks for 2nd in the league in blocked shots per game (2.5), but because of the difference in games played, the former Georgia Bulldog was actually tied for 2nd with DPOY winner Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies in terms of total shots blocked (189).
What might have hurt Claxton’s chances of making either of the teams was the fact that Brooklyn finished the season tied for 15th in the league in defensive rating (113.5) with the Denver Nuggets. Even after accounting for the Nets as the team was constructed after trading Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn was 12th in the league in defensive rating (113.7). However, Claxton has put the NBA on notice from this point on.
No Clax and Mcdaniels is crazy
— Mikal Bridges (@mikal_bridges) May 9, 2023
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