Jordan Clarkson: Los Angeles Lakers Point Guard of the Future?
By Scott Asai
Jordan Clarkson has started the last 5 games and although the Lakers have gone 1-4, he’s showed steady improvement.
Lakers fans always wondered if Clarkson would get a chance to play early on in the season as the Lakers struggled out the gate. He had an impressive summer league and continued to put up big numbers in the D-League when sent down. As Jeremy Lin and Ronnie Price jostled for the starting role, Clarkson continued to sit on the bench yearning for a chance to show his stuff.
Ironically, the game after Kobe Bryant tore his rotator cuff on a baseline dunk against the New Orleans Pelicans, Byron Scott inserted Clarkson into the starting lineup. He performed well against the San Antonio Spurs in a loss and it was a big first test to pass.
Compared to Jeremy Lin, his offense isn’t as polished. Put him next to Ronnie Price and his defense has ways to go. But overall Clarkson does not lack confidence and when he does make a mistake he takes ownership for it and moves on. What he lacks in experience, he makes up for in fight.
Clarkson is more of a scorer than distributor at this point, so it’s not clear is he’s a point guard or shooting guard. That’s a decision to be decided in the future, but for right now it’s great to see him on the court showcasing his talent.
Mitch Kupchak deserves a lot of credit for trading essentially cash for his rights in the second round. Overlooked by many teams, Clarkson came in with a chip on his shoulder. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Most professional athletes who get passed up in the draft by lesser players continue to have an edge their entire career, case in point, the starting two quarterbacks in Super Bowl XLIX: Russell Wilson and Tom Brady.
According to reports, Steve Nash is now mentoring Jordan Clarkson and he is soaking up the teaching. In recent years, the point guard position wasn’t a priority on Lakers championship teams, but times are changing. Big men still rule the league, but having a scoring threat at the 1 spot and someone who can guard opposing floor generals is crucial.
Instead of debating whether Jordan Clarkson is the point guard of future, let’s just be thankful he’s part of our future. The Lakers are rebuilding and Clarkson is a pivotal piece going forward.