Nets' Noah Clowney impresses in second NBA start

NBA

by bridget riley

The Nets offered several reasons Wednesday night for the team and fans to expect more success going forward.

Perhaps the biggest accomplishment came from rookie Noah Clowney's impressive performance in his second NBA start.

The teenager was not one to mention his age when asked about his performance. Instead, the 19-year-old opted for brevity and humility.

After putting up 10 points, seven rebounds and seven blocks in a 106-102 come-from-behind victory over the Raptors in the final home game, Clowney respectfully became the 12th teenager in NBA history to record at least one block. was rejected. He had 7 blocks in the game.

“They kept trying to lay up the ball and I kept blocking it. Nothing else,” Clowney said with a laugh.

He is the lowest draft pick to appear on the rookie block list (21st overall in 2023). He fell just short of matching Mike Gminski and Sean Williams' franchise record of eight blocks for a rookie.

Clowney spent much of the season developing in the G League, and after the Nets were eliminated in a shoot-out in the play-in spot last week, the front office moved to power forward to give them a chance to see what he could bring. His playing time has increased. Team moving forward.

He is not taking the extended opportunity lightly.

Over the last three games, he is averaging 11.3 points, 60% shooting, 7.7 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in 32.6 minutes per game.

Additionally, on the night the Nets were eliminated, Clowney recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds in 17 minutes.

The outburst came as no surprise to interim head coach Kevin Ollie.

“I have to give you a moo. [Mfon Udofia] And all the coaches on Long Island yelled. [Jalen Wilson] I'm here, I'm here, I'm the No. 1 pick. “That could have happened to him,'' Ollie said.

“But I think they put him in tough situations and coached him great, so when we got him he was already ready. He knew exactly how he could perform and he came prepared. And that's what you have to do. You never know when someone's going to knock on your door and give you an opportunity. knocks on the door. Your job is to be prepared, and he took on every challenge we gave him.”

O'Ree on Wednesday called Clowney's big moment with 21.6 seconds left in the game “one of the best plays all season.”

Wilson inbounded the ball to Clowney, who quickly got the ball to Garrett Temple.

The Raptors guard ran the lane and encountered Clowney's seventh block, but got the rebound before Dennis Schroder was fouled.

They made two free throws and maintained their lead.

“He's a catalyst for us on the defensive side of the ball,” Nick Claxton said. “He's talking. You can hear his voice from there. I want to say it as loud as I can, too. That's a good prospect for us.”

According to Spotrac, the Barclays Center crowd witnessed more play from the rising star who signed a four-year, $15.15 million contract and is quickly becoming a “regular” in the group, Mikal Bridges said. Ta.

“He showed great growth very quickly. Like I said, when he was first thrown out there, he understood everything and was playing really well and playing hard. , is doing an incredible job,” Bridges said.