Nic Claxton taking on new responsibilities as Nets longest-tenured

Nic Claxton finds himself suddenly as the longest-tenured player on the Nets, noting that such an ascension in seniority “happens fast” in the NBA.The 25-year-old center expects to play in Wednesday’s season opener in Atlanta after missing the team’s four preseason games due to a hamstring issue — declaring himself “ready to go” to open his sixth NBA campaign.Claxton, who returned to practice with the team as a full participant Monday in Brooklyn, ticked off a series of established former teammates who helped prepare him to take on more of a leadership role this year for a rebuilding Brooklyn squad.“I had a lot of really good vets since I’ve been in the league, and I’ve been able to soak up a lot of knowledge from a lot of different players [and] coaches,” Claxton said after practice.“DeAndre Jordan, Blake [Griffin], KD [Kevin Durant], Kyrie [Irving], James [Harden], Caris [LeVert], It’s so many dudes and I’m a sponge.

I’m always just listening, and I remember things.“So just using what I’ve learned from those guys and from all the things that I’ve seen out there on the court, helping others, and also just taking my game to another level.”The Nets are banking on that, too, after inking Claxton a four-year contract extension worth $100 million in June.The 6-foot-11 Claxton averaged virtually a double-double last season with 11.8 points and a career-best 9.9 rebounds over 71 games.“My expectations for the team is just to compete,” Claxton said.“I mean, obviously, we don’t have a whole bunch of extremely high expectations this year, but just come out every night and compete and fight and play the game the right way and let the chips fall where they may.“And for myself, just continuing to grow as a player, as a leader for the group.”Claxton thought his return to practice Monday “went well,” and first-year Nets coach Jordi Fernandez noted that it was “good to have a true center on the court, and I think everybody ...