The Brooklyn Nets have attractive talent at their frontcourt positions going into the 2024-25 season. In addition to fringe Defensive Player of the Year Nic Claxton, Brooklyn boasts the services of Day'Ron Sharpe and second-year forward Noah Clowney. Clowney showed promise with the Nets down the stretch of the 2023-24 season, but he admitted challenges during 2024-25 preseason.
In late September, Jordi Fernandez said he was unsure if Clowney would play more minutes at the power forward position or the center position. Furthermore, Sean Marks added that Brooklyn did not want to definitively assign Clowney one role in an effort not to hinder his development. However, with Nic Claxton sitting out the Nets' first few preseason games, Clowney has had the opportunity to slide into the center spot.
After a stout but challenging showing against the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 16, Clowney revealed that he needs to better adapt to his changing frontcourt roles:
“Sometimes I have lapses where I’m thinking I’m at the four or thinking I’m at the five when I’m not. It’s just getting better with that. Knowing my coverages when I’m at the four or my coverage when I’m at the five and knowing what to do offensively in both spots. It’s just something I gotta get better at," Clowney said, per Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.
2024-25 will be crucial for Clowney's frontcourt development
Noah Clowney is starting his second year in the NBA, so he understandably has a learning curve, especially when facing stronger, more experienced players. Clowney finished the Nets' 117-95 Sixers loss with 11 points and eight rebounds. However, he struggled to contain Andre Drummond.
There were times during the game when Drummond was able to move Clowney away from his spots and out-battle him physically. Nearly every newer big man in the league must endure such matchups to grow, and the 2024-25 season should allow Clowney to gain a stronger hold on his paint presence.
The Nets have had centers experience major growth with time, including Jarrett Allen and Nic Claxton, so Clowney's development is likely to be promising. One major thing that sets Clowney apart though is his ability to stretch the floor. He shot 1-for-4 on three-pointers against the Sixers, but he is more than capable of knocking it down from range.
All Clowney needs is more reps and continued work with Brooklyn's staff, and he will eventually sweep the NBA world off its feet.