Lake Show Life
Fansided

Why Jordan Clarkson & D’Angelo Russell Are Not A Good Fit

By Matthew Patterson

facebooktwitterreddit

After some speculation as to whether D’Angelo Russell was going to enter the draft or return to Ohio State for his sophomore season, Russell recently announced his decision to become a pro. Russell is a very realistic target for the Lakers in the 2015 NBA draft.  Scott Polacek of Bleacher Report has the Lakers selecting Russell at fourth in his latest mock draft and even predicted him to win Rookie of the Year.

-== How The Top 5 NBA Prospects Fit With The Lakers ==-

Whether the Lakers score in free agency or not, Kobe Bryant has next year’s starting shooting guard spot locked up.  Russell, who has been listed as a PG/SG, would not be guaranteed big-time minutes next year.  If Jim Buss decides to make another wrong decision by going after Rajon Rondo in free agency, the Lakers would have quite the backcourt rotation to deal with.  Two selfish stars passed their prime with Bryant and Rondo, and two promising studs in Jordan Clarkson and Russell.  That being said, Russell and Clarkson would be the future for the Lakers, even if that means waiting a year or two to get their chance.

Apr 24, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives against the Dallas Mavericks in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Many Laker fans believe that Clarkson will be the point guard for the Lakers in the long-term, but drafting Russell would put the Lakers in an interesting situation.  Like I previously stated, Russell is a combo-guard, but his position in the NBA will not change his style of play.  Russell has drawn comparisons to some of the most skilled guards in the NBA, most notably Stephen Curry and James Harden.  I like the Harden comparison simply because Harden doesn’t really have a “position”.  Harden, listed as a SG, is always the primary ball-handler on his team and number one playmaker.  So even if Harden is a “SG”, he functions as a PG due to his ball-handling and passing abilities off isolations and pick and rolls.

Russell is very similar.  Russell averaged 5.9 assists per 40 minutes and throughout the year showed his abilities to make beautiful passes that few NBA players could make.

Not to say that Russell can’t play off the ball.  According to Draftexpress.com, Russell made 1.11 PPP (points per possession) on spot-ups, and .95 PPP off screens.  Russell also has a very quick smooth release.  Russell’s scoring abilities go beyond the catch and shoot aspect.  Russell has a very effective shot off the dribble and is a wizard at pulling up for three in transition.  Russell’s limited athletic abilities make him an average finisher at the bucket, but he can always pull up a few feet in-front of the shot-blocker.

Overall, Russell is a great scorer with an excellent outside shot, with an equally great ability to make plays for his teammates.  The best thing to do with a dynamic perimeter player like this is surround him with shooters.

One of the main issues with the Rockets last year was the Harden-Lin combination.  Lin has always been most effective with the ball in his hands, not standing around the perimeter to spot up.  This is why the Rockets had to switch the rotation, moving Lin to the bench to give Harden more room to operate.  This is what led to the downfall of “Linsanity”.

November 1, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard

Jeremy Lin

(17, left) talks to guard

Kobe Bryant

(24) during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 127-104. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The same thing happened earlier this year, but this time it was with Kobe.  Although Kobe has been noted as a ballhog over the course of his career, there is no doubt that he is a ball dominant player, who will draw double teams and put defenses on a swivel.  Lin often disappeared in games, simply because he did not have the ball in his hands.

This is where Jordan Clarkson comes in.  Clarkson shot a poor 31.4% from three this year and proved to be more comfortable as the primary ball handler.  As good as Clarkson was this past year, Russell would become the main man in the backcourt, which would ruin Clarkson’s potential.  If the Lakers were to draft Russell, the best option would be to bring in a point guard that will be willing to spot up and play tough defense.

The NBA is very simple in today’s game.  Get two or three players who could break down a defense and surround them with long-range snipers.  Take a look at the Spurs.  Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard and Tim Duncan, then after that: Danny Green, Marco Belinelli, Patty Mills and Matt Bonner, all shooters.

If the Lakers want to build a championship team in the next five years, it’s going to be around Russell, Randle and hopefully one more free-agent.  After that, the Lakers can’t afford to have guys surround them that can’t shoot the basketball.  This could put Clarkson in a tough spot as the odd man out,  unless the Lakers strike gold in the lottery and get the chance to take Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns, Jr.

With the emergence of Clarkson, the Lakers options have become a bit more complicated. Let’s just hope they are able to keep their pick first, then the Lakers can worry about their roster problems.

Next: Lakers Review: How Did Jordan Clarkson Perform This Year

More from Lake Show Life

Home/Lakers News