NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets rookie forward Noah Clowney came into this season with a lot of promise given some of his skills and attributes. Coming into the draft, Clowney projected to be a forward who could stretch the floor while also being a mobile big that can defend the rim and on the perimeter. He showed both on Wednesday.
“I can compete, to be honest,” Clowney said after putting 14 points and four rebounds in Wednesday’s 144-122 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Thanks to the Nets pulling a controversial move by resting most of their better players despite facing a Bucks team that struggles on the road, players like Clowney were able to get extended playing time and played well. That doesn’t mean that Clowney didn’t still feel like a rookie.
“I was nervous coming in,” Clowney explained. “We’re playing the Bucks and it’s a good team. A lot of big guys, so I was a little nervous coming in. I ain’t going to lie. But, once I got out there, it’s just being comfortable and knowing that I can compete at this level.”
Clowney had some understandable struggles against a talented Bucks frontcourt rotation headlined by Giannis Antetokounmpo, a player who has won plenty of individual accolades over the past few seasons, including two MVPs. In spite of that, Clowney found a way to make an impact around the rim and had a solid game despite being unable to match the physicality of Milwaukee.
The one thing Clowney proved on Wednesday was that he can contribute when given enough time to get comfortable within the game and that should bode well for his confidence and development moving forward.
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