Nic Claxton on Kyrie Irving this year: “I think he can be MVP. He can be finals MVP. Whatever he puts his mind to, he can do it.”

This summer, Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant demanded a trade, and point guard Kyrie Irving was unable to secure a long-term deal. Now, the team is coming back with most of its same roster from last season.

The Brooklyn Nets come into the season as one of the most talented teams in the Eastern Conference. They also come with a lot of questions.

The team traded James Harden last year and acquired Ben Simmons, who did not play at all during the season. Simmons has been on the court in the preseason and appears to be healthy.

Also last year, the team was without star guard Kyrie Irving for most of the year. Due to Kyrie not getting vaccinated against COVID-19, he was unable to play in home games untl late March. Because of his stance, he also did not play in road games in the early part of the season.

Kyrie Irving's penchant for missing games, perhaps, prevented him from getting a contract extension. But nobody doubts the seven-time All-Star's talent. Backup center Nic Claxton, who has played all three seasons of his career with Irving, is certainly a big believer.

“I think he can be MVP. He can be finals MVP. Whatever he puts his mind to, he can do it," Nic Claxton said.

For Irving to reach such lofty goals, the team will have to do well. To get into the MVP conversation, a player's team must usually be a contender. To win the Finals MVP, the team has to win the championship. If everyone returns to form, this may not be as big of a stretch as it a lot of pundits are thinking.

---

Let's not forget how good Kyrie Irving is

Philadelphia 76ers v Brooklyn Nets

Even in his shortened season, Kyrie Irving was one of the best basketball players when he played. He averaged 27.4 points and 5.8 assists and shot 41.8% from 3-point range.

He, the former No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, is a seven-time All-Star and a three-time All-NBA selection.

Irving has shown himself to be a strong player on the big stage. In his last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he averaged 29.4 ppg during the 2017 NBA Finals. He also hit the game-winner in Game 7 of 2016 Finals, lifting the Cavaliers to the championship.

If Kyrie Irving plays a full season and if his teammates stay healthy, he could prove Claxton right.