Noah Clowney has emerged as one of the standout players for the Brooklyn Nets, showcasing remarkable development this season. In a recent game against the Knicks, Clowney scored a career-high 31 points, demonstrating his shooting prowess with a remarkable 7-for-13 from beyond the arc, while also contributing four rebounds and three assists. His performance highlighted a shift in his approach, as he exhibited a more aggressive style of play that his teammates have benefited from. “Very. Trying to be aggressive helps my teammates. Yeah, it’s really it,” Clowney remarked on his newfound confidence.
At just 21 years old, Clowney is still younger than rookie teammate Danny Wolf and half of this year’s draft class. Since stepping into a starting role, he has averaged 18.1 points over his last seven games, with an impressive 40% shooting from three-point range. His growth is a testament to his hard work and the emphasis the Nets have placed on developing their younger players.
In contrast, Ziaire Williams has been removed from the Nets’ rotation entirely due to a disappointing lack of defensive effort. Head coach Jordi Fernández addressed this decision, emphasizing the need for Williams to recapture his previously elite defensive performance. Fernández said, “It was just my decision. I wanted to challenge him with his defense… I haven’t felt that energy.” He expressed optimism about Williams’ potential, underscoring that he believes the young player can return to being a top defensive asset for the team.
Meanwhile, injuries have plagued the Nets, with Ben Saraf sidelined and both Nolan Traore and Danny Wolf primarily playing in the G-League. Traore, a French teen still in the developmental phase of his career, has shown signs of promise recently, scoring 15 points with nine assists and two rebounds in a game on Monday, following a standout performance where he tallied 28 points and nine assists the previous Saturday. Fernández noted the importance of instilling good habits in his players, stating, “We want to play a competitive and winning game of basketball. It starts with the habits.”
The current focus on player development and the impressive performances from Clowney and Traore suggest a hopeful future for the Brooklyn Nets, as they strive to cultivate a competitive and cohesive team.