Jordan Clarkson's Path to the Knicks: A Wimbledon Phone Call
Jordan Clarkson's journey to becoming a New York Knicks player began unexpectedly at Wimbledon. A phone call from his agent, Rich Paul, set the wheels in motion for Clarkson to join Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart in the Big Apple.
The Wimbledon Revelation
While attending a Carlos Alcaraz match, Clarkson received a pivotal call from Rich Paul asking about his preferred destination. "I said, ‘I wanna come to New York,’" Clarkson recalled. This sparked a quick chain of events, with Paul relaying Clarkson's interest to the Knicks.
“It all happened in two minutes,” Clarkson said. “Then I was a Knick.” The conversation became public during a live taping of "The Roommates" podcast hosted by his new teammates, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.
Why New York?
Following a buyout from the Utah Jazz, Clarkson had choices. He explained his decision, focusing on the allure of Madison Square Garden. “The arena [MSG], honestly,” Clarkson said. “Feeling the energy from the fans. Knowing they’re going to let you have it if you’re playing like s–t. But when you’re playing great, it’s all love. At the end of the day, I just want to feel the energy. Get to play with y’all [Brunson and Hart].
Hart playfully commented on the change of scenery, noting, “The Garden’s going to be great vibes. It’s going to be different from Utah. … We got more flavor to our crowd brother, don’t worry about it.” Brunson revealed they had discussed teaming up previously.
Clarkson's Role and Expectations
With 11 years of NBA experience, Clarkson, at 33, is now the oldest player on the Knicks' roster. He is expected to contribute as a scorer off the bench, reminiscent of his Sixth Man of the Year-winning role with the Jazz in 2021. Despite a somewhat limited season last year, Clarkson seems ready to contribute to the Knicks' ambitions.
“Y’all been doing great things over here,” Clarkson said of the Knicks, who have NBA Finals aspirations. “I just want to come in here and enhance what y’all got going on.”
More from "The Roommates" Podcast
Besides Clarkson, the podcast featured guests like Jamal Crawford, Eli Manning, and Ben Stiller. Hart jokingly alluded to the Kawhi Leonard scandal while teasing Brunson.
Crawford announced his departure from MSG Networks to join NBC as an analyst. NBC is re-entering the NBA broadcasting sphere and has also recruited notable figures like Carmelo Anthony, Reggie Miller, and Michael Jordan.
Jazz's Gift: Clarkson's Longtime Wish Granted
The Utah Jazz effectively granted Jordan Clarkson the opportunity to play for a contender by waiving him, leading to his quick signing with the Knicks. This move allowed him to pursue both a championship and the chance to play alongside Jalen Brunson.
During his podcast appearance, Clarkson emphasized his excitement to play in front of the MSG crowd and alongside Brunson. The parallels in their careers as second-round steals with scoring prowess contribute to the logic of their partnership. The Knicks hope Clarkson can replicate the success he had playing with scoring guards like Donovan Mitchell, potentially leading them to their first NBA Finals appearance in years.
Similarities and Potential
Clarkson's and Brunson's careers share similarities as they both emerged as notable second-round draft steals, celebrated for their scoring capabilities. While Brunson has achieved greater heights, their shared traits create an intriguing dynamic. Clarkson's previous success playing alongside scoring guards like Donovan Mitchell further fuels optimism for their collaboration.
With the Celtics and Pacers, the Eastern Conference's previous NBA Finals representatives, facing challenges, the Knicks are positioned for a potential run. The Jazz provided Clarkson with a chance to contend for a title, marking a significant opportunity in his career.
