Nets' Noah Clowney getting crucial playing time as the season winds down
Nets rookie forward Noah Clowney Credit: Noah K. Murray
Day’Ron Sharpe still sees himself as a young NBA player. Even though this is his third season with the Nets, it’s the first where the 22-year-old is getting regular minutes.
That’s why it feels jarring that Sharpe is in a mentor-type role with rookie Noah Clowney. Sometimes if Clowney’s asking him questions, Sharpe might be trying to figure it out, too.
“I’m still looking for the answers myself,” Sharpe said Friday after shootaround. "But the answers I do know, I try to give it to him…It’s all about trying to help him out. It’s his first year, I want him to do good just like I want everybody else to do good.
The Nets still are mathematically in the play-in tournament race but they’re falling further behind. After the Hawks defeated the Celtics on Thursday, they lead the Nets by six games for the final spot.
With the Nets’ tragic number down to four before they’re eliminated from contention, the time is now for developing their young players as much as chase wins. That means trying out different lineup combinations, such as Clowney playing more power forward alongside Sharpe or Nic Claxton.
For Sharpe, he saw how well Clowney adjusted to the role during summer workouts. So he’s not surprised that Clowney, who’s three years younger, has taken that challenge head on over the past week with more minutes.
“I always thought he could do it,” Sharpe said. “I don't look at him just as a big, I looked at him as a four or five. You know, a wing too. I look at him as a guy that could do a little bit of everything.
Although Clowney’s play has been valuable experience to end his first season, it also represents a rite of passage. For Sharpe and Trendon Watford, both in their third seasons, it’s realizing they’re closer to being veterans instead of the fresh-faced kids new to a team.
Watford recalled gaining more minutes near the end of his rookie season with the Trail Blazers out of playoff contention. So he understands how valuable it is for Clowney and fellow rookie Jalen Wilson playing more now.
“It was big for me just coming into the league playing a lot my rookie year,” Watford said. “A lot of guys are not that fortunate enough to have that opportunity. So, it’s big and I was definitely in their shoes, what, two years ago.”
The Nets would’ve preferred to end March wrapping up a play-in or playoff spot. Instead they’re on the verge of missing the postseason for the first time in six seasons.
But the benefit now is evaluating their young talent. For Sharpe, it means getting comfortable sharing wisdom with Clowney even as he’s still seeking it for himself.
“I'm just trying to give him the same thing that I was taught,” Sharpe said. “Just keep working. Stay in the gym. Stay focused…just all the things that really matter.”
Nets note
Cam Johnson will miss his third consecutive game Friday with a sprained left big toe. He was seen shooting jumpers at shootaround, which hints he could return soon.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
