Lakers: Cut Jordan Clarkson Some Slack

Fans are saying Jordan Clarkson has fallen off this season for the Lakers, but he’s virtually the same player he was last season.

Do you remember in the movie ‘Toy Story” when Andy gets a Buzz Lightyear for his birthday and Woody is replaced by the flashy new space ranger? That is what has happened to Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson.

Just a few months ago, Clarkson was the shooting guard of the future for the Purple and Gold. He was supposed to fill the hole at the 2 left by Kobe Bryant and lead the Lakers back to relevancy alongside D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram. Instead, he’s been the subject of some pretty harsh criticism in the midst of an up and down season.

But what actually merits this criticism? Clarkson is no better or worse than he was last season, statistically speaking. In fact, he is putting up virtually the same numbers he was last season in fewer minutes played.

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/27/2016.

Clarkson started every game he was healthy for the Lakers last season and averaged a team-high 32.3 minutes per game, four more minutes than what he is averaging this season (28.3). However, his transition from regular starter to spark plug has been almost seamless.

Of players that have logged in more than 30 games off the bench this season, Clarkson is second in points per game (14.3), only trailing his teammate Lou Williams who is putting up an unreal 18.7 points per game off the bench. Not too shabby for someone having a “bad season.”

One area Clarkson has digressed ever so slightly has been his 3-point shooting. Last season, his 34 percent shooting from deep left a lot to be desired, and not too much has changed despite videos of the third year guard knocking down 3s with ease this past summer.

Now 35 games into the season, fans are still waiting on the Jordan Clarkson from the video. Aside from his poor shooting from deep, Clarkson is actually a slightly more efficient player this season. His 43.3 percent shooting from the field jumped to 43.5 percent (I did say slightly) and his effective field goal percentage also got a little boost.

Another area Clarkson’s game has taken a step back has been his playmaking. Clarkson averaged 3.5 assists per game his rookie season, but he was also playing point guard at the time. Ever since he moved to the off guard position, his assists numbers have dropped, which is to be expected.

The most frustrating part of Clarkson’s game this season, and every season he’s been with the team, has been his perimeter defense, or lack thereof. Along with shooting, Clarkson allegedly emphasized defense in his work outs this past summer. The results? Less than ideal.

His defensive box plus-minus is at a career low (-2.6) and among guards coming off the bench this season, Clarkson is in the bottom five in defensive net rating (108.8). Not the best.

However, for all of his faults, Clarkson is without question one of the better players on the team and a huge part of the Lakers’ future going forward. At just 24 years old, JC still has a ton of room to improve.

While some might argue that he has already hit his ceiling, Clarkson has proven his critics wrong before. You don’t get named to an All-Rookie First Team as a second round draft pick for being complacent. In fact, Clarkson is still one of the best guards from his draft class. Only Zach LaVine and Rodney Hood are having seasons than he is in much bigger roles.

Jordan Clarkson is far from perfect, but he is also far from bad.

Next: How does the Lakers slump affect the future?

What do you guys think? Does Clarkson deserve such harsh criticism? Will he prove his critics wrong by season’s end? Let us know in the comments below or send us a tweet @TheLakeShowLife.