Lakers: Jordan Clarkson Working on Increasing 3-Point Range (Video)
By Eric Yee
Lakers’ guard, Jordan Clarkson has been working hard this summer to increase the distance and consistency of his 3-point shot
Despite having all of the athletic tools an NBA player could ask for, one of the biggest knocks on Lakers’ second round pick, Jordan Clarkson has been his inefficiency from behind the arc. Mostly a slasher in college and during his first year with Los Angeles, when D’Angelo Russell was added to the mix, 3-point shooting became a requirement almost overnight.
Though he increased his three point numbers by four percent in a year (31 to 35), while also upping the volume of threes he took, Clarkson is obviously not satisfied shooting just around the league average.
Seeing that complacency doesn’t run in the combo guard’s veins, he continues to work hard this summer to not only increase that percentage, but also the range from which he can knock down shots.
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Still working with trainer Drew Hanlen, Jordan Clarkson was recently recorded hitting 15 threes in a row from what can only be described as Stephen Curry distance. While in the video it looks like a few feet inside half court, considering how it appears to be a high school gym, we’re going to assume it’s still two or three feet beyond NBA range.
Just by watching the short clip a few observations that must noted are that Clarkson appears to be jumping less on his shot, in addition to releasing the ball sooner, both things which should improve his consistency. Using the featured image of him shooting over Klay Thompson for reference, Clarkson now appears to be letting the ball go much closer to his forehead than previously, albeit he is shooting over a defender.
Though Russell Westbrook is an exception, the general rule of thumb is the further away from the basket you are, the less you should jump on your shot, and Clarkson seems to be taking that advice in stride. The results speak for themselves.
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While it remains to be seen if he can hit these types of shots off the dribble, the distance and efficiency increase should have fans dying for the start of the regular season.