After flashing defensive intensity and playmaking potential late last season, Nique Clifford aims to anchor Sacramento’s rebuild by pairing improved consistency with his versatile, hard-nosed style.
Nique Clifford prides himself on being a versatile player and wants to bring winning habits to the Sacramento Kings in his second season.
His versatility came in spurts in the first few months. He'd rebound and pass well in one game, then it disappeared in the next.
Having Zach LaVine and Russell Westbrook ahead in the rotation squandered any consistency from coming to life. Until injuries started piling up, and his minutes rose.
Clifford started playing over 30 minutes in the final three months. The rebounding and passing became more constant, averaging over four in each category.
The defense saw improvement, too. He averaged over one steal in February and March, including a career-high six steals against the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 23.
Those are aspects Clifford told Sactown Sports' Jason Ross during Summer League that he can control. He's focused on showcasing those attributes more as the anchor to the Kings' future success.
His offensive skill set is still unpolished, but he trusts that it will come along, just like his defense.
"I got to be more aggressive at times," Clifford told Ross. "I got to be more assertive at times for our team to be successful."
He scored a career-best 30 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 7. The former Colorado State prospect was ultra-aggressive, shooting 12-for-19 from the field and 5-for-9 from three.
Sacramento lost the matchup 132-126, but that's the assertiveness the young guard is searching for next season.
It was also an all-around performance for Clifford, adding four rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals to his stat line. The Kings need that versatility moving forward in their rebuild.
That could pair well with rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr., whose defense is a well-known weakness. Clifford can guard quick, crafty ball-handlers with a 6-foot-8 wingspan.
The young duo got a head start on building chemistry in Summer League. In a thrilling victory over the Brooklyn Nets to open the California Classic, Acuff drew the defense's attention, passed to his wide-open teammate, who knocked down the game-winning three.
Clifford's offense was still a work in progress throughout the summer league, but the versatility still shone. There is still room for him to grow heading into his second season.
He has some expectations set for him, as Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz named him Sacramento's "Most Disrespected Hidden Gem," crediting his stellar finish to the year.
The young King wants to build winning habits for an organization that ended with a 22-60 record. His growth could be the foundation of change in a crucial rebuild era.
