Is Jordan Clarkson’s Future As A Point Guard?
By Hannah Kulik
The recent announcement of Ronnie Price’s season-ending elbow surgery may mean the Lakers have only three able-bodied guards remaining, but for Jordan Clarkson it means one thing: If he really wants to be an NBA point guard he has two more months to prove it. Otherwise, the Lakers are likely to pursue Rajon Rondo or Goran Dragic this summer.
With Price gone, there is no choice for Byron Scott but to give him the minutes many have felt he has deserved all year, and it is Clarkson’s time to make the best of his opportunity and show the fans and this franchise he can do what other top point guards do for their teams. Even though most people have been impressed with his play so far, many are unconvinced he is a true point guard and see him more as a “2” guard.
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So far, he is playing well. In his first game after Price’s departure, Clarkson exploded for a career-high 22 points and led the fourth quarter comeback that gave the Lakers their first winning streak since December 14 and their first road win of the year.
However, what was even more impressive than his play was his reaction in the locker room afterwards. When asked by reporters his thoughts on his career night, Clarkson responded in a very Kobe-esque way saying “I’m never satisfied.” Where most rookies would be thrilled after having a career night, Clarkson was not satisfied. He has the mindset of a point guard.
There are several questions Clarkson must answer, however. For one thing, does he have the ball handling skills of a point guard? It is unclear whether he can bring the ball up the court against a skilled defender who is applying pressure (e.g., Patrick Beverly) without having the ball stolen.
Second, he has to demonstrate he can get into the lane and dish the ball to others for an easy basket. He is yet to have a break out game with his assists. Third, the top point guards have the ball in their hands with the game on the line. Can Clarkson score, or facilitate a score by his teammates, with time about to expire? Just as important, can he stop Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry, and Damian Lillard from scoring when the game is on the line?
Clarkson has the rest of the season to convince the Lakers he can do these things. Otherwise it is likely he will be slotted at shooting guard going forward and the Lakers will look to add Dragic or Rondo. As a shooting guard he will play behind you-know-who next season, which is not an enviable position for anyone.
What do you think? Is Clarkson’s future at point guard?