Before the recent NBA Draft, it was a known fact that Jordan Clarkson is being groomed as the new man in the point. But all that was before the Lakers surprisingly took in D' Angelo Russell, a natural point guard and one of the best in the crop.
So why pick a guard over a forward (referring to Jahlil Okafor)?
Well for one, the Lakers already have their share of forwards like Julius Randle. Even though he barely played one game last season, the fact remains that the Lakers could do well to hone up their backcourt.
Does this mean that Clarkson could be sharing minutes? Well yes and no.
Yes because there would be times he would have to alternate with Russell at the playmaking chores and no because the two can be fielded in simultaneously. In such a case, Clarkson would move back to his usual off guard spot and leave the playmaking chores to Russell.
Does it make sense?
At the start of the season, expect Clarkson to get more minutes at the point guard position. While Russell will get his minutes, he has to earn it. He earns it by making do with the minutes given to him by coach Byron Scott; and from there, everyone will probably see a breakout game at some point, which could catapult Russell to the starting position.
Once this happens, expect Clarkson to get minutes playing alongside Russell as a shooting guard — the most sensible scenario if you talk about the two playing together.
Is there any threat of playing time? It hardly seems the case. Russell could be the next Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook but a lot of that would depend on his performance in the NBA.
It could take time or it could happen immediately. And once it does, it justifies why the Lakers picked him over Okafor.
There is no loser between the two (Russell and Clarkson). It is a simple case of blending together which shouldn't be a problem as both players complement each other and look forward to helping get the Lakers back on track.
Where does this leave Kobe Bryant? Well it looks like the Black Mamba will be playing alongside the two but at small forward. Could that work?
