Jordan Clarkson has risen to new heights and he is slowly showing why the Los Angeles Lakers wanted him in last year's NBA Draft.
It will be recalled that Clarkson was the 46th overall pick of the Washington Wizards before he was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers. Apparently the move was a big mystery since Clarkson was virtually an unknown.
In the early goings, Clarkson found himself riding the bench and eventually being relegated to the NBA D-League. But when the Lakers started experiencing personnel problems, Clarkson was elevated.
Initially, Clarkson seemed like an off guard but seeing that the Lakers were sorely lacking in the point guard position head coach Byron Scott somehow squeezed him into the position. And as it turned out, the move was a good one.
Entering his sophomore year, all eyes will be on Clarkson once again. He has been going great guns in the NBA Summer League and has shown tremendous improvement and maturity. But would those factors be enough for him to secure his spot in the Lakers rotation this coming season?
Apparently this is something many are asking. With the selection of D' Angelo Russell, the return of Kobe Bryant, and the signing of Lou Williams, where does Clarkson fit into all this? Will he still play point or revert to the off guard position?
All that would of course depend on Scott. He knows more or less how to tilt the minutes among the said players but Clarkson will surely have a lead over the rest. For one, he has proven that last season so why change something if it ain't broke?
The worse thing that could happen is Clarkson sputtering and the others humming. If Clarkson blinks, expect his playing time to diminish.
With that in mind, Clarkson will surely stick to his motto – never give up and continue to improve. Such was his formula last year and everyone knows how he reached where he is today.
Clarkson cannot take it easy from hereon. In fact he may need to push himself all the more with the presence of multiple players playing the same position.
So will Clarkson lose his spot? In the early part of the season maybe not. But as the season progresses, it may depend on how consistent he will be for the Lakers as they try to rebound from two disappointing NBA seasons.
