The transformation Jordan Clarkson has undergone in his career is quite breathtaking. Of course, the physical changes are the most apparent. He changed up his hair and he has both sleeves fully tatted up. But Clarkson has become the quintessential role player, embracing his part to play to help this New York Knicks team achieve their goals.
On Tuesday, Clarkson played just 11 minutes and scored two points on 1-of-5 shooting from the field in a 117-85 win for the Knicks over the Milwaukee Bucks. But his words after the game show that he is all-in on the culture of this team and is willing to do whatever it takes to get his team the victory.
“That's just our culture here. No matter if it's one minute, 30 seconds, 30 minutes during the game. That's what we focus on. That's what Mike has preached to us since he's got here and that's just a big thing all of us hold our hat on,” Clarkson said after the game, via SNY Knicks on X.
Clarkson's role has been fluctuating over the past year or so, and he's no longer the Sixth Man of the Year-caliber player he was in years past. Nonetheless, what makes the 34-year-old guard a valuable player for the Knicks despite his decline has been his ability to just stay ready and make the most of his minutes, however many he ends up playing.
Make no mistake about it, Clarkson can still get buckets when called upon. But the Knicks have scarcely needed him to, and yet he's well content just doing whatever the coaching staff tells him to, which is a testament of the kind of respect the team's coaching staff commands.
Clarkson is currently averaging just 6.0 points per game, which would be the lowest of his career. But if the Knicks keep on winning games, that should be all that matters to the 34-year-old NBA champion.