Lakers Embracing Late Blooming Stars
By Eric Yee
Mar 24, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) handles the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dion Waiters (23) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Clarkson
Jordan Clarkson‘s rapid development was one of the lone bright spots in last year’s injury riddled season. Clarkson fell to the second round in the 2014 NBA Draft, and the Lakers came away with another late bloomer.
From the moment he put on a Lakers uniform, Clarkson came in with a chip on his shoulder and determined to put the rest of the league on notice.
A little over a year later, Clarkson has already drawn comparisons to Russell Westbrook and for good reason. Both players attack the rim relentlessly and are supreme athletes in a league filled with great ones.
It seems as though the Lakers are constructing a team of young stars much like the Oklahoma City Thunder did with Kevin Durant, Westbrook, James Harden and Serge Ibaka.
That said, the Lakers still need a dynamic leader with Bryant’s departure closing in, and they may not have one in their current lineup.
Next: D'Angelo Russell